The crash aftermath

11/6/2015 5:04:41 PM

(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Airlines need to think of boosting security rather than suspend flights to Sharm Al Sheikh after the crash of a Russian plane over Sinai.

After Britain and Ireland Russia has announced the suspension of flights to Egypt after reports that an explosive device might have brought down a Russian-operated airliner over the Sinai peninsula on Saturday killing all 224 people on board. The Russian suspension covering all of Egypt is more sweeping than that imposed by Britain which had halted flights to Sharm Al Sheikh only. There is no doubt that this is likely to trigger a chain reaction. Safety is the first priority of the global aviation industry and any signs even the remotest of lives coming under threat can invite drastic reaction. After the Russian decision Washington too imposed new security requirements. The US Department of Homeland Security announced the new security measures including tighter screening of items before they are brought on board aircraft for flights to the US from some foreign airports in the region.

Moscow had previously suggested the UK was pre-judging the outcome of the investigation when it suspended flights on Wednesday to and from the Red Sea resort of Sharm Al Sheikh. But Russia’s own decision came after the head of the Russian federal security service suggested it would be “expedient” to suspend all flights until an on-going investigation brings out the truth.

Egypt too has launched a probe into the crash and has assured the international community that security at its airports matches international standards and requirements. The finding of Cairo’s investigation will be the most important; the authorities have already ruled out any Sinai links to the plane crash and if it stands by this argument they will have to convincingly counter the charge that the plane was brought down by abomb. And if the Islamic State is found to be behind the crash it can send shockwaves and make things difficult for the entire Middle East. The terrorist group which has not generally pursued “spectacular” attacks outside its base in Syria has already claimed responsibility for bringing down the plane.

The plane crash comes at a difficult time for Egypt. It can seriously undermine President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi’s efforts to resuscitate the country’s weak economy. The country stands to lose millions of dollars from its vital tourism industry if things spiral downward; the tourism industry has been showing signs of revival after ther ouster of Hosni Mubarak. The Sharm Al Sheikh airport especially welcomes thousands of vacationers to the resort.

Egypt must launch a crackdown against the militants in its Sinai region and eliminate terrorism through every possible means. Airlines also must refrain from jumping into conclusions because no official investigation has claimed that IS brought down the plane. The government in Cairo is quite capable of handling and boosting security at its airports.

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