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Russian experts arrive in Egypt to inspect airports

The experts will examine security control systems installed at the airports of Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada

CAIRO, January 11. /TASS/. A group of Russian experts has arrived in Egypt in order to review security measures at Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada airports, Egypt's Civil Aviation Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday. "Russian experts are expected to complete their mission by January 16," the statement reads. Four experts will travel to Sharm el-Sheikh, the same number of experts will inspect Hurghada airport.

The experts will examine security control systems installed at the airports, including security cameras capable of storing footage for a month, as well as the new personnel biometric access systems which will be used for scanning fingerprints and retina.

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Transport minister: Air traffic with Egypt likely to be open in January 2017

Besides that, on January 18-20, another group of Russian experts will arrive in Cairo to conduct the final inspection of Cairo International Airport. The expert group will include representatives of Russia’s national airline Aeroflot. The experts will particularly inspect Terminal 2, which was opened this past autumn after being refurbished. It is planned to serve Russian citizens' flights, suspended after Russia’s passenger plane’s crash over Sinai in October 2015, have been resumed.

Biometric equipment has already been installed at Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada international airports at Moscow’s request, members of a private security company have been deployed there. Mohamed Saeed Mahrous, chairperson of the Egyptian Holding Company for Airports and Air Navigation, said that the new system would be put into operation in Cairo airport’s Terminal 2 on January 12.

According to Egypt’s authorities, Russian experts will have an opportunity to take part in security checks and inspection of aircraft flying to Russia.

Air service between Moscow and Cairo is expected to be resumed soon since Terminal 2 of Cairo International Airport is considered to be ready to serve Russian citizens as far as security goes.

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