Russia is set to send to Egypt a trial flight carrying a team of experts to assess security measures, Russian state-affiliated Sputnik news agency reported. According to the news agency, the spokesperson of the Russian State Duma’s committee on transportation said that the trial flight could lead to the resumption of flights between Egypt and Russia. However, the spokesperson did not announce when the trial flight is set to arrive at Cairo Airport. Meanwhile, Egypt’s Minister of Civil Aviation Sherif Fathy said at a press conference on Monday that a Russian delegation is set to visit Egypt on August 29 to check security measures at the Cairo, Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada airports. A “number of delegations” will also visit Egypt to inspect security at resorts and hotels, Fathy said. Russia halted all flights to Egypt following the downing of a Russian passenger plane over the Sinai Peninsula last year. The Islamic State group later claimed responsibility for the explosion, saying it had planted a bomb onboard the plane. Russia has sent several delegations this year to inspect Egypt’s security measures prior to the resumption of direct flights. However, while Russian officials have ceded that…
Russia to Send Trial Flight to Egypt to Assess Security Measures, Possibility of Resuming Flights
August 22, 2016
