VZCZCXRO8531
RR RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHROV
DE RUEHEG #2904 2691416
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 261416Z SEP 07
FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7028
INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
RHMCSUU/FAA NATIONAL HQ WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS CAIRO 002904 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ELA(RANA) 
STATE ALSO FOR EEB/TRA/OTP (HAYWOOD) AND EEB/CBA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAIR ETRD ECON PREL EG
SUBJECT: DELTA AIRLINES TO ANNOUNCE NEW YORK-CAIRO NON-STOP 
SERVICE 
 
 
¶1. Cairo General Manager for Delta Air Lines Karim Nabhan 
told us that Delta plans to announce on September 26 the 
establishment of non-stop New York-Cairo-New York service 
beginning on June 4, 2008.  The flight will operate 5 times 
per week (SU,M,TU,W,F from JFK and M,TU,W,TH,SA from Cairo) 
and will utilize Boeing 767-300ER aircraft.  Currently, only 
EgyptAir operates a non-stop Egypt-U.S. service. 
 
¶2.  Nabhan said that existing demand and positive passenger 
growth forecasts are driving the decision, but Delta expects 
opportunities for air cargo growth as well.  The 
establishment of direct, non-stop service will spell the end 
of the current Paris CDG-Cairo codeshare agreement with Air 
France, although Air France will still handle some cargo 
business.  Delta's previous attempt at a non-stop JFK-Cairo 
service was short-lived -- Delta inaugurated the service in 
June 2001 and canceled it shortly after 9/11. 
JONES