Egypt's minister of civil aviation Sherif Fathi says he had doubts from the beginning that the hijacking of EgyptAir Flight 181 was a terrorist incident.

The minister told state TV that the arrested man displayed "unprofessionalism" in his hijacking techniques, and phone calls he made while he was aboard showed he had some personal and mental problems.

"However, we had to deal with the situation as a security threat and operate as if he had a real bomb in order to keep all people on board safe," Fathi added.

"Larnaca Airport is now closed, and when it reopens we will head there to bring home the Egyptian passengers and help the foreign passengers make their way home," Fathi said.