Continental to delay flights to Cairo

HOUSTON — Continental Airlines says due to a recent decline in demand for travel to Egypt, it is postponing plans to offer daily nonstop flights between the New York area and Cairo.

1. Don't miss these Travel stories
   1. 

      Courtesy Six Flags New England
      New coasters offer new thrills

      Ride designers and theme park operators are upping the thrill factor through design and technology rather than vying for new records.

   2. Want to fly next to your child? Prepare to pay
   3. Have an airport question? Ask an avatar
   4. U.S. airlines see decline in baggage-fee revenue
   5. Fear factor: Strangest travel phobias

Foreign tourism to Egypt has fallen off since the beginning of large protests that led to the February ouster of President Hosni Mubarek. The caretaker government, which estimated cancellations for February resulted in the loss of $825 million in tourism revenue, has assured foreigners that Egypt is safe.

Continental had planned to fly daily nonstop flights between Newark, N.J., and Cairo beginning May 18. It began selling seats last July.

Airline spokeswoman Julie King said Continental was delaying the service "indefinitely," and was working to find seats on other airlines for customers who bought tickets.

Continental's sister airline, United, sells flights to Cairo through so-called code-sharing arrangements with Egypt Air and Lufthansa.