Egyptian airlines post losses

CAIRO, Nov. 9 (UPI) -- Egypt Air and other airlines based in Egypt were estimated to have lost more than $80 million as a result of people cutting back on flying following the Sept. 11 terror attacks on New York and Washington, Egypt's transportation minister said Friday.

Ibrahim Dumeiri put Egypt Air losses at about $60 million because of halted or reduced flights as well as increased insurance costs.

Earlier this month, Egypt Air reduced the price of its tickets by 40 percent on its international flights and 50 percent on its internal flights.

The number of passengers using Cairo Airport, Egypt's largest and busiest airport, dropped to 208,000 in October compared to 388,000 in the same month of last year.