Egypt to Install Biometric Equipment to Bolster Airport Security

Egypt’s Civil Aviation Minister, Sherif Fathy, told Sputnik on Monday that Egypt will receive biometric airport equipment to bolster airport security this month.

Based on recommendations made by Russian inspectors last month, Egypt’s Civil Aviation Minister tells Sputnik that the new equipment "should arrive in Egypt mid-November. We will need some time to install it, then we will contact our Russian colleagues and discuss our next steps." 

The news emerged on the one year anniversary of the Russian A321 plane crash, and the implementation of the biometric access system will help improve security by tracking the arrival and departure of airport staff.

Installations of the biometric equipment are expected to take up to four months and are likely to be implemented in at least two airports; however, the minister didn’t specify which airports. Russia’s Transport Minister Maxim Sokolov already signalled that a decision to resume flights from Russia could be made by the end of the year; however, this may be pending the implementation of the new biometric equipment and another round of inspections.