Security services company Falcon Group assumed control of security operations at Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport on Saturday morning, taking responsibility for all security procedures inside the airport buildings.
The handover ceremony at the airport was attended by Civil Aviation Minister Sherif Fathy, South Sinai Governor Khaled Fouda, the manager of the airport Emad al-Balasi, and Falcon Group CEO Sherif Khaled.
Fouda said that the company is now responsible for security and inspection procedures for luggage at all gates and halls, while police forces will handle security outside the airport.
He added that some 5,000 personnel from the company have been in Sharm al-Sheikh for several weeks, undergoing training on their various tasks at the airport.
Egypt have made several moves in recent months to tighten all-round airport security, hoping to regain the trust of the international community and airlines since the downing of a Russian plane outside Sharm el-Sheikh last year, killing all 224 passengers and crew on board.
Russia and several Western countries halted flights to Sharm since that time, adding to the woes of Egypt’s struggling tourism sector. The tourism industry is one cornerstone of the Egyptian economy and an important source for foreign currency, along with Suez Canal revenues.
