Egypt airports to install biometric access control systems to improve security

Egypt’s Civil Aviation Minister Sherif Fathy announced that “at least two airports” in the country will soon receive Russian inspector-recommended biometrics-based workforce management equipment to improve security, according to a report by Ahram Online.

“It 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,” Fathy told Russian media Monday, one year after the Russian A321 plane crash over Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula. The crash killed all 224 people on board.

Acting on Russia’s recommendations following recent safety inspections in September, Cairo ordered the biometric access control systems to track the arrival and departure of airport employees. The equipment is expected to be installed within four months, Fathy said.

The Minister also revealed that Egypt is collaborating with experts to install the biometric authentication systems in “at least two airports,” but did not specify names.

Russia’s Transport Minister Maxim Sokolov said last week that the Ministry will decide before the end of the year whether to resume Russia-Egypt flights.

He added that if Egypt invites another Russian security inspection by December and the experts are able to draft a report in time, the Russian administration will be informed and finalize its decision on resuming flights.

The plane crash drove Russia and several European countries, including the UK, to suspend flights to the resort town of Sharm El-Sheikh, over security concerns.

Following the crash, Cairo has taken several steps to boost airport security in order to put foreign governments at ease.

Article Topics

access control  |  airport biometrics  |  biometrics  |  Egypt  |  identity verification  |  workforce management