Media: Egypt does not allow Russian aviation security into its airports
Flights between Russia and Egypt were postponed indefinitely after the Egyptian government refused to allow Russian aviation security personnel into its airports, Interfax news agency reported, citing a source familiar with the situation.
"The Egyptians no longer demonstrate their readiness to seek a compromise regarding the presence of Russian aviation security specialists at local airports," the source said. According to him, Egypt said that it has "the ability to provide security on its own, including providing security for Russian tourists." “This contradicts the previously prepared draft of the relevant memorandum," the source said.
He added that Moscow had not received a regular invitation from Cairo to conduct safety inspections in Egyptian airports. "Thus, concern still remains that previously voiced complaints regarding security have not yet been addressed," the source told Interfax.
In mid-March, Egypt and Russia agreed on the final version of the protocol on aviation security. After it is signed, the air communication between the two countries will be resumed.
"[Egypt] simply has not yet indicated the date, place and time for signing this agreement, however all the main points of the protocol have already been agreed on," Russia’s Transport Minister Maxim Sokolov said at the time.
Air traffic between the two countries was halted on November 6, 2015, after a Russian plane departing from Sharm El Sheikh Airport to St. Petersburg, crashed as a result of the terrorist attack. 224 people were killed.
In January, Izvestia newspaper, citing a source in diplomatic circles reported that Russia and Egypt would resume air traffic on February 23. Later, the Russian Ministry of Transport denied these dates.