Egyptian government threatens legal action over blogger’s airport review

A critical review of Cairo International Airport posted by travel blogger Ben Schlappig has sparked controversy, with Egyptian officials issuing a detailed rebuttal and threatening legal action, as reported by The New York Times.

Schlappig shared complaints about his experience at the airport on his website, One Mile at a Time. He alleged that the staff were rude, repeatedly solicited tips, and that the environment was chaotic. Additionally, he included photos of the airport's bathrooms to illustrate his dissatisfaction.

These remarks drew the attention of Egypt’s Civil Aviation Ministry, which responded by issuing a 1,100-word statement defending the airport and accusing Schlappig of misrepresenting the situation.

The ministry claimed to have reviewed security footage of Schlappig’s visit and argued that his account was inaccurate. They pointed out, for instance, that the bathroom shown in his photos did not match the one he had reportedly used.

Schlappig refuted these claims, explaining that his review was based on multiple visits to the airport over time, which would account for any discrepancies in the images.

He also criticized the Egyptian government’s response, saying, "I know Egypt isn’t necessarily the most pro-free speech place on earth, but I wasn’t expecting a Pyongyang-esque response."

This clash highlights Egypt's low tolerance for criticism, with the country frequently facing international scrutiny over its treatment of dissenting voices. Human rights groups have condemned Egypt for imprisoning critics and stifling free speech.

The controversy emerges as Egypt intensifies efforts to boost its tourism industry, with plans to double annual visitor numbers to 30 million by 2028.