Egypt's private airline companies called on the aviation ministry to intervene to stop the haemorrhage of losses incurred by the coronavirus outbreak, a statement by the aviation ministry read, as the pandemic continues to take its toll on the country's vital sectors.

Civil aviation minister Mohamed Manar Ennaba held on Tuesday a meeting with chairpersons and representatives of private airlines to discuss the companies' financial status and the repercussions of the coronavirus crisis on the sector amid flights suspension from and to Egypt, according to the statement.

The private airlines' representatives urged the civil aviation minister to interfere to stop "the bleeding of losses by the companies and help them to overcome the crisis."

Ennaba said the state is currently going through a "difficult period", adding that the current events have reflected heavily on the civil aviation sector.

He said that periodic meetings would be held to discuss developments of the pandemic, ordering the formation of a committee constituting all involved parties to discuss cooperation in the upcoming period and necessary facilities for private airlines.

The meeting comes a few days after Egypt extended flight suspension from and to all its airports nationwide until mid-April as part of measures against the pandemic.

The Egyptian airspace continues to be open for exceptional flights to bring back Egyptian nationals stranded abroad or receive flights sent to send tourists back home.

There is no recent data concerning the amount of losses incurred by the sector, however, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said last month that the recent flights suspension has resulted in financial losses for Egyptian airlines exceeding EGP 2.25 billion.