Egypt is set to launch two direct flights between Cairo and Marseille via national companies as of August, a statement by the Egyptian Ministry of Emigration and Expatriate Affairs revealed on Monday. The ministry plans to gradually increase the weekly trips between the two cities to nine within two years, according to the statement. The new service will commence in August, with Nesma Airlines, an Egyptian carrier that typically operates international regional flights within Saudi Arabia, operating two direct flights per week. Air Cairo, a low-fare subsidiary of the country's flag carrier Egyptair, will also provide two more weekly flights by mid-2025, the statement pointed out. Under the plan, EgyptAir is also set to operate five more weekly direct flights between the two cities starting 2026/2027. The decision comes in response to requests made by Egyptian expats in France during Minister of Emigration and Expatriate Affairs Soha El-Gendy's visit to the European country in November. Currently, no dire ct flights are available between Cairo and Marseille. The only way to fly from Cairo to the French city is to take connecting flights with EgyptAir and a limited number of international airlines. Source: State Information Service Egypt