Russia imposed a ban on flights to and from Egypt after a Russian-operated Airbus A321 crashed en route from the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh to St. Petersburg on October 31, killing all 224 people on board. Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said a terrorist attack had led to the tragedy. "A Russian audit group has finished checking Egypt's airports' security. Recommendations regarding the enhancement of security systems [at these airports] were prepared," the press service told RIA Novosti. According to a press service spokesperson, the transport ministry has no information about the date of resumption of flights from Russian to Egypt. "First of all, it is necessary to make sure that there is complete security in Egyptian airports for passengers," the spokesperson said. On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russian representatives should be deployed at every stage of security control in Egyptian airports to prevent terrorist threats. Egypt's Tourism Minister Hisham Zazou welcomed this statement. In early December, Russian Transport Minister Maksim Sokolov said the country would not resume flights to or from Egypt before the end of 2015.
