Egypt's private carrier Luxor Air has been banned from French skies after one of its planes last week took "a completely abnormal" route at low altitude over the city of Nantes.
According to the director general of France's Civil Aviation Authority Michel Wachenheim, the airline's flying rights were suspended at the opening of investigations into a March 21 flight from Luxor, Egypt to Nantes, Western France.
The MD-83 aircraft made a two kilometer deviation from its scheduled flight path prior to landing and hovered over the city at a low altitude of 183 meters, Wachenheim said.
After a safe landing, the plane left Nantes quickly. "Visibly, they were very rushed," Wachenheim added. All 104 passengers disembarked unharmed.
France's Bureau of Accident Investigation has asked Egyptian authorities for information on the flight crew and background on the plane and airline, reported AP. French authorities have also notified other European countries about the investigation.
Luxor Air is an operator licensed by the Egyptian CAA in accordance with Egyptian civil aviation law. The airline specializes in charter flights, wet leasing and aviation services. — (menareport.com)
© 2004 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
