Flights between Russia, Egypt unlikely to resume before end of summer - source
MOSCOW/CAIRO. June 23 (Interfax) - Flights between Russia and Egypt are unlikely to resume before the end of the summer, a source with knowledge of the situation told Interfax.
"Egypt has made no initiative since the spring on dialog with Moscow regarding the presence of Russian aviation specialists at local airports. Moreover, Russian experts never got an invitation to conduct the latest flight safety inspection at the country's passenger terminals," the source said.
The source recalled that during the most recent inspection by Russian specialists, a number of remarks were made about Egyptian airports. "Without further inspections we cannot be certain these have been remedied, and we aren't getting any feedback. So flights to Egypt are unlikely to resume before the end of summer," the source said.
The Russian government approved a draft protocol on cooperation with Egypt in flight safety in February. The document states that Russian experts will inspect the technical equipment used for screening at Egypt's international airports and assess air travel security measures. The Russian Ministry of Transport and Egyptian aviation authorities will be responsible for the coordination of activities to fulfill the requirements of the protocol. Inspections will be carried out by "specialists of a Russian company" authorized by the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsia).
Russian Transport Minister Maxim Sokolov said in March that no date had been set for the protocol to be signed. He said so again in May. "I have repeatedly commented on the issue. There is no news yet," Sokolov said on May 19.
Work on the protocol began after the closure of air communications between Russia and Egypt in November 2015, triggered by Russia in response to the downing of a Russian Kogalymavia flight between Sharm-el-Sheikh and St. Petersburg over the Sinai Peninsula. All 217 passengers and seven crew members on board died. The Federal Security Service (FSB) later declared the incident a terrorist attack.
A source with knowledge of the situation told Interfax on May 12 that the resumption of flights between Russia and Egypt had been put back indefinitely because dialog regarding the presence of Russian aviation security specialists at local airports has been suspended and due to unresolved issues regarding safety at terminals.
Deputy Russian Transport Minister Valery Okulov said on May 24 that it was not yet known when flights between Russia and Egypt might resume. "The negotiating process is in limbo," he said, adding that Russia's own position had not changed.