EgyptAir plane heading to Moscow takes off after hoax threat

CAIRO – 27 October 2021: An EgyptAir plane bound for Moscow was forced to return to Cairo after a threatening letter that was later found to be a hoax.

The flight, 729 MS, took off after security review affirmed the falsity of a threat message that was found on one of the seats of the plane.

The plane had to return to Cairo International Airport 22 minutes after the take-off on Wednesday. However, another jet was prepared for passengers to board as the initial one had to be examined carefully.

In August, Egypt’s Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada resorts received their first direct flights from Moscow after a suspension - imposed since 2015 due to a Russian plane crash over Sinai - had been lifted.

Russian tourists have been on top of visitors to Egypt, with the number of Russian tourists surpassing 3 million in 2014 only, representing more than 30 percent of all tourists that year.