Egypt's newly appointed aviation minister fired the head of state carrier EgyptAir Monday.
EgyptAir and its chairman of nearly twenty years, Mohammed Fahim Rayan, have been plagued by charges of mismanagement and negligence.
Civil Aviation Minister Ahmed Shafeeq said during a press conference that the 73-year-old Rayan, a former air force pilot, was relieved of his duties seven months before his retirement, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
He was replaced by Ahmed al-Nadi, a veteran EgyptAir pilot who is expected to supervise an overhaul of the company.
On Monday, Shafeeq named Abdel Fatah Qatu, the head of the country's civil aviation authority, chairman of the new holding company. Shafeeq, in addition, named five officials to head air services, ground services, maintenance, air cargo and tourism and duty free shops.
Shafeeq served as commander of the Egyptian air force before being named minister in April. The company operates 43 aircraft on over 40 domestic and international routes.
Last year, 10 of its international routes suffered 240 million Egyptian pounds ($ 53.2 million) in losses, SPA added. (Albawaba.com)
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