Cairo received the first direct flight from Belgrade in more than 13 years on Wednesday.

In a statement, the Tourism Ministry said Egypt's Ambassador to Serbia Amr El-Gweily and the Serbian ambassador in Cairo were on board, pointing out that the Egyptian Tourism Authority was keen on marking this special occasion by welcoming the passengers with flowers. 

In a statement on the occasion, El-Gweily said that this makes Cairo the only stop for the Serbian airlines in Africa, adding that Belgrade is the only city in Balkans which operates direct flights to Cairo. 

He wished that the move would boost Cairo's position as a regional air hub in Africa and Egypt's position as the main tourist destination for people from the Balkans.