Emirates suspends Sinai overflights after Russian plane crash

Emirates airlines said Sunday it has stopped flying over Egypt's Sinai peninsula after a Russian passenger plane went down in the area with the loss of all 224 people on board.

"Emirates is currently avoiding flying over the Sinai peninsula until more information is available," said a spokesperson of the Gulf carrier.

"We are currently monitoring the situation," added the spokesperson in a statement.

Air France and Lufthansa announced on Saturday that they would also stop flying over the area as a precaution while the cause of the Russian crash was investigated.

The Islamic State (IS) group affiliate in Egypt has said it downed the plane, without saying how, but Russia's transport minister said the claim "cannot be considered accurate" and an Egyptian security official said the plane did not crash because of an attack.

A senior Egyptian air traffic control official said the pilot of the Airbus A321 told him in their last communication that he had radio trouble.

The Kogalymavia flight with 214 Russian and three Ukranian passengers and seven crew, had taken off from the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh in south Sinai bound for Saint Petersburg.

Source: AFP