Hundreds of workers from companies that run balloon flights for tourists have threatened protests unless the government rescinds its temporary suspension of flights, state-run newspaper Al-Ahram reported.
The workers have added that the balloon flights are their sole livelihood sources.
Luxor Governor Ezzat Saad said earlier that flights will resume within a month, after the investigations into the balloon crash this week conclude.
Eighteen foreign tourists and an Egyptian woman were killed when a balloon burst into flames and plummeted from the sky on Tuesday in Luxor.
The governor said that balloons used in tours will be subject to periodical technical inspections to avoid future tragedies.
“Frankly, we are exposed to some pressure from balloon companies whose work has been suspended, because there are a lot of workers and employees who work in those companies who may face unemployment and layoffs,” he said, adding that the decision was to “suspend” the work of the companies, not to close them permanently.
The governor also said that, according to the minister of civil aviation, the company that was in charge of the balloon that crashed is prepared to pay financial compensation to the victims’ families.
The company reportedly has insurance, and the governor said that balloon companies cannot get licenses without two types of insurance, both on the balloon and covering the passengers themselves.
The governor further claimed the crash “would not affect tourism” and that Egypt had not received any formal diplomatic complaints over the crash.
Edited translation from MENA
