Egyptian airport security in the spotlight again after plane hijacking

Only five months after an onboard bomb downed a Russian Metrojet A321 killing all 224 passengers and crew on board over the Sainai Peninsula in October 2015, an Egyptair A320, Flight No. MS181 was hijacked today (Tuesday) en route between Alexandria and its destination, Cairo, and diverted to Larnaca airport in Cyprus. The lone hijacker, who is not believed to be associated with any known terrorist organization, wore what was later discovered to be a fake suicide belt and ordered the captain to divert the plane to Cyprus.
It is understood that his motive for the hijacking was a personal matter, the Cypriot state broadcaster indicating that he had requested the release of female prisoners in Egypt, while another passenger made it known that during the hijacking a letter was thrown onto the airport apron with a demand that it be delivered to his Cypriot ex-wife. It was also reported that at one point he demanded that the plane be refuelled and flown on to Istanbul in Turkey.
The plane was travelling with varying reports of between 51 and 81 people on board, including seven crew members, the majority of whom were released immediately after the plane’s landing at Larnaca. However, according to Egypt’s Civil Aviation Minister Sherif Fethy, three passengers and four crew were held captive for a number of hours before the hijacker, named as Seif Eldin Mustafa, gave himself up to Cypriot authorities, resulting in all passengers remaining unharmed.
Egypt has been keen to defend its shaky reputation regarding airport security. In response to today’s events, Egypt’s Prime Minister Sherif Ismail commented to reporters “We conduct strict and very accurate measures in our airports and sea ports. We follow up on all fronts. I hope that all will go well with continuous follow up work and development with new equipment we have.”
Later in the day the Egyptian Minister of Civil Aviation, Mr Sherief Fathy, accompanied by a civil aviation delegation, arrived on Egyptair flight MS741 to Larnaca International Airport with the intention of returning the Egyptair passengers back to Cairo and on to their intended destinations, though options were being given to a number of passengers to fly on from Larnaca itself.