MOSCOW, October 11. /TASS/. Russia has not yet received an invitation from Egypt to hold a regular check of airports, Russian Transport Minister Maxim Sokolov told journalists Tuesday.
"As soon as all events in the comprehensive plan of the Egyptian side are fulfilled, they will send us an invitation. We agreed that in a week’s time upon the reception of such an invitation, we will start a check of any airport that is ready," Sokolov said.
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He said the Russian delegation will also be able to inspect Egypt’s airports within a week since a relevant invitation is obtained.
Earlier the minister noted that the Egyptian side is eliminating its faults on security of its airports mentioned by Russia fast. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich expressed hope for resumption of air links with Egypt by the end of 2016, as the Egyptian side has to additionally install some security systems.
Sokolov said the talk is about a biometric system of personnel access to the airports’ neutral zones.
Talks on reinstating air communication with Egypt have been going on since late 2015. Flights between the two countries were suspended in November 2015 after a terrorist attack on board an airliner from Sharm El Sheikh to St. Petersburg. After the cessation of air travel, tourist flow to Egypt dropped by 75%