Egypt to assign international firm to review airport security

Egypt would appoint an international company to review and enhance security in its airports within the coming days, according to an emailed statement from the tourism ministry.

Government officials met on 10 December with leading international security and risk advisory companies to hear their proposals on covering security procedures at airports, and then proceed accordingly after reviewing costs and capabilities before the end of December.

A Russian team aided by Egyptian counterparts has completed an audit of flight safety in Egypt following the Russian airliner crash over Sinai on 31 October, Russian news agency Tass reported on Thursday, citing Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich.

The audit report may help Russia determine whether to resume air services between Egypt and Russia, Dvorkovich said.

Russia halted flights between the two countries following the October crash, for which ISIS-affiliate Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis claimed responsibility.

Moscow rejected on Monday a statement by Egypt saying that “the technical investigative committee has so far not received any evidence indicating criminal or terrorist activity” in the downing of the plane.

The Kremlin pointed to the findings of Russians investigators released last month, which indicate that a bomb was responsible for downing the Airbus A321 and killing all 224 people on board.

source: Reuters