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Moscow takes responsibility for security of Russian tourists in Egypt’s airports

August 9, 2021 at 2:12 pm

Passengers stand in a queue ahead of a security check at the Sharm El-Sheikh international airport in Egypt on 20 June 2020 [KHALED DESOUKI/AFP/Getty Images]

Russian security guards are operating at Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada Airports in Egypt to protect tourists from Russia, Egyptian media revealed on Monday. Flights have resumed following a ban since 2015 when an aircraft crashed soon after take-off from Sharm El-Sheikh.

On Monday morning, EgyptAir flight MS724 took off from Moscow with 300 people on board, the national carrier said. The Airbus A300-330 landed in Hurghada without incident.

The Russian Ambassador in Cairo, Georgiy Borisenko, said last Thursday that Moscow is assured that the Egyptian authorities have enhanced all necessary security measures at airports and resorts. In an article published by Sputnik news agency, the ambassador wished Russians “a safe and comfortable stay” in Egypt.

Although he noted that it was not easy for Russia to take any decisions regarding direct flights after the 2015 crash — the responsibility for which was claimed by Daesh — Borisenko said that Russia is convinced that in recent years security at airports and resorts in Egypt has been greatly enhanced.

The Russian Embassy in Cairo announced on 24 July that flights between Russia and Egypt would resume today. Five flights per week are now scheduled between Moscow and the two Red Sea resorts.

“A decision to increase the number of flights to these destinations, including from other cities in Russia, will be made as a result of the Russian delegation’s visit to Egypt to assess the epidemiological situation,” the embassy added.

Flights to Cairo International Airport were resumed in January 2018 after Egypt had implemented tighter security to meet Russian demands.

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