A sandstorm across most of Egypt forced planes flying to Cairo to divert to other airports today and reduced visibility to 500 metres, airport sources said.
At least five flights were diverted to Hurghada on Egypt's Red Sea coast and one to Cyprus, but by noonvisibility had improved to 1,500 metresand normal traffic at Cairo international airport resumed.
Hot desert winds and sandstorms are common in Egypt's unsettled khamasin season in April and May.
