CAIRO: Egypt’s national air carrier grounded its international flights from Cairo yesterday because of a 12-hour strike by the company’s flight attendants.

Hundreds of passengers crowded into the airport, some protesting the disruption of their travel plans and arguing with airport staff. Security checkpoints were set up on the road to the airport to keep passengers away, preventing a bigger backlog because of the strike that began after dawn Friday. Some passengers dodged the roadblocks, carrying their luggage and walking to the terminal.

Company officials said as many as 20 international flights were canceled, but domestic flights were not affected. Egypt Air estimated its losses from the canceled flights by midday at $10 million. The flight attendants are demanding improved working conditions. Tamer el-Sioufi, a spokesman for the flight attendants, said the attendants have been conducting negotiations with company officials, but without results.

“We have informed civil aviation officials of the strike time after they procrastinated in meeting our legitimate demands for 16 years,” he said. “We will continue our strike (actions) until our demands are met.”

The flight attendants’ walkout was due to end at 4 p.m. local time.Flights to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait were able to leave Cairo airport.