Resumption of flights from Russia to Egypt has once more been discussed between the presidents of the two countries, who met on Monday in China while attending the BRICS summit. President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi invited his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to Egypt to attend the launching celebration of the Dabaa nuclear plant. There is currently no progress concerning an exact date. The Russian president and officials continue to state "flights will resume soon" and admit Egypt has developed airport security systems. Initially, Russia wanted to monitor airports through its own security company, a demand rejected by Egypt on grounds of interference with its sovereignty over its territory. Several Russian security delegations have been visiting Cairo, Hurghada, and Sharm El-Sheikh international airports. The so-called Islamic State group had claimed responsibility for downing a Russian plane over the Sinai Peninsula on 31 October 2015, killing more than 200 people on board. An aviation security protocol prepared by the Russian government had been waiting to be signed for months, whereby Russian experts monitor Egypt's implementation of security procedures.
