Smart Aviation (SME, Cairo International) along with Air Arabia (G9, Sharjah), EgyptAir (MS, Cairo International), flynas (XY, Riyadh), and Jazeera Airways (J9, Kuwait) have been forced to suspend their respective operations to and from the central Egyptian city of Asyut after the airfield was closed with effect from June 1.

Egypt's Aswat Masriya says the airport will be closed for the period of one year to allow for the resurfacing and upgrading of the 3'109m-long runway 13/31.

Existing flights will be rerouted to Cairo International, Sohag, or Luxor.