EgyptAir has suspended its flights to Saudi Arabia, a statement by the national airline read on Monday.

The move comes in accordance with the kingdom's decision to suspend flights from nine countries, including Egypt, over coronavirus fears, the statement explained.

In a short statement issued on its social media platforms, EgyptAir apologised to its passengers for the "out-of-hand" situation.

The carrier said it will exempt passengers from the change fees of tickets booked between 7 and 31 March to the Saudi airports of Dammam, Qassim, Abha, Jeddah, and Medina. The exemption includes the change in the trip destination or date.

Saudi Arabia and its airports are popular destination for flights from Egypt, with almost daily flights taking off from Egyptian to Saudi airports.

According to official figures, Egyptian airports record nearly 70 daily air flights from and to the two countries where EgyptAir and Saudi Airlines have the highest share.

Egypt announced on Sunday that coronavirus patients in the country have gone up to 55.

Earlier, Saudi Arabia decided that travellers from several countries including Egypt wishing to go to the kingdom using a new visa or a pre-existing valid visa are required to present a PCR lab test certificate proving they are coronavirus-free.

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