Status of U.S. Citizen Evacuations from Egypt

Status of U.S. Citizen Evacuations from Egypt

Media Note

Washington, DC

February 1, 2011

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The State Department remains focused on the welfare and safety of U.S. citizens in Egypt. Approximately 1,600 U.S citizens and their family members have been evacuated from Egypt in an operation that began on Monday, January 31. We will continue evacuation efforts to facilitate the safe transport of every U.S. citizen who wishes to leave the country.

The movement of citizens from Cairo slowed slightly on Tuesday, February 1, as U.S. citizens encountered difficulties traveling to the airport due to road closures related to demonstrations. Just under 400 passengers were flown to safe havens in Istanbul and Athens on February 1 aboard three U.S. Government-chartered planes. A fourth plane awaiting take-off will bring the day’s total to more than 460.

Commercial flights in and out of Cairo are restricted to operations during non-curfew hours. U.S.-sponsored evacuation flights have been permitted to operate around the clock. Airports in Alexandria remain open and U.S. citizens have been able to depart on private charters and commercial flights.

Although demonstrations have not targeted U.S. citizens, we are advising them to remain in their homes and hotels until demonstrations subside. Those wishing to depart from Cairo may proceed to Terminal 1, Hall 4, in Cairo International Airport, after curfew is lifted at 8 a.m. We will continue to send charter flights to evacuate U.S. citizens as rapidly as possible.

Although non-emergency Embassy personnel and employees’ families have been ordered to depart Egypt, the Department continues to send personnel into Cairo and to our safe haven locations. The Embassy remains open only for U.S. citizen services during non-curfew hours. Visa operations have been suspended.

So far, more than 3,000 U.S. citizens have communicated a desire to be evacuated, but we know that there will be others who have not contacted us or who are proceeding directly to the airport. The most up-to-date information for U.S. citizens in Egypt can be found on our website Travel.State.Gov. U.S. citizens in Egypt, or persons concerned for their U.S. citizen loved ones in Egypt also may contact the State Department by email at EgyptEmergencyUSC@state.gov or telephone at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (outside the United States and Canada).