Russia-Egypt Talks on resuming air service to kick off in Cairo on Tuesday

Talks on restoring air traffic between Russia and Egypt will take place in Cairo on Tuesday between Russian Transport Minister Maxim Sokolov and Egyptian Minister of Civil Aviation Sherif Fathi. On Monday Sokolov arrived to the Egyptian capital as the head of the Russian delegation.

The sides are expected to discuss dates of resuming flights, readiness of Egyptian airports both in Cairo and resort cities and level of security in the light of Egypt’s fulfillment of Russian demands to improve the passenger and baggage checking system. They are also expected to consider the draft bilateral agreement on ensuring security of civil aviation. Sokolov will also hold talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

Earlier Sokolov said for a start only Cairo airport where a new terminal has just been launched, will be opened for Russian flights.

Air service with Egypt was suspended by Moscow in November 2015 after a terrorist attack on board an A321 from Russia’s air carrier Kogalymavia that was en route from Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt to St. Petersburg in Russia. The passenger airliner crashed over the Sinai Peninsula early on October 31. All 224 people onboard, including 217 passengers and the seven-member crew, were killed.

Negotiations on resuming flights between Russia and Egypt have been underway since late 2015.

Source: TASS