German carrier Lufthansa, the Franco-Dutch Air France-KLM, and Emirates have suspended all flights over Egypt’s Sinai peninsula pending the completion of investigations into what caused a Russian passenger plane to crash in Egypt’s North Sinai.
“We took the decision to avoid the area because the situation and the reasons for the crash were not clear,” a Lufthansa spokeswoman said.
Air France-KLM stated similar reasons for the suspension.
“Air France confirms it has set up, as a precaution, measures to avoid flights over the zone of Sinai,” said a spokesperson.
Following Air France-KLM and Lufthansa, Emirates also stated that it will suspend flying over North Sinai. Meanwhile, other airliners, including British Airways, said they have no plans to change their routes.
On Saturday, flight Kogalymavia 9268, carrying 200 adults, 17 children and seven crew members, crashed in Egypt’s North Sinai shortly after take off. Bodies that have been recovered have been transported to Cairo.
While the exact cause remains unclear, Egypt’s Prime Minister Sherif Ismail announced that the black box had been recovered and that it should likely shed light onto the causes of the crash.
Earlier claims by ISIS affiliate Wilayat Sinai that it was responsible for downing the Russian airplane have been denied by Egypt, Russia, and analysts across the world.
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