Solar Impulse 2 final journey delayed

The final journey of the solar-powered aircraft Solar Impulse 2 has been delayed due to strong winds and the health of one of the pilots.

The plane was due to depart Cairo on July 16 to make its final short trip to Abu Dhabi.

The journey which began in March 2015 in Abu Dhabi has been piloted in turns by Swiss aviators Andre Borschberg and Bertrand Piccard.

“So Bertrand was not feeling well yesterday, he was much better this morning, and again tonight things got a bit worse, so we took the decision not to go. I tell you, it’s not an easy decision but it’s a wise decision. For safety reasons of course we prefer to stay. We knew Bertrand would fly for at least two days if not three days, climbing very high, using oxygen masks, in this situation, you have to be as a person really well, so I’m very happy we took this decision,” said Borschberg

Solar impulse 2 has traveled across Asia making history as the first solar airplane to accomplish an oceanic crossing. The plane has more than 17,0000 solar cells built in to its wings.

Reuters