Tunisia ups airport security after Egypt crash

Cairo: Tunisia’s government is increasing security measures at airports and on airplanes after last month’s crash of a Russian airliner over Egypt, amid mounting suspicion that it could have been downed by a bomb.

Tunisia’s tourism industry has been deeply wounded this year by Islamic extremist attacks on a museum and a hotel that left 60 people dead. Tunisian authorities, who have been criticized for not doing enough to secure tourist sites, say the country remains a target for terrorist attacks.

A Transport Ministry statement today said participants in a special aviation security meeting decided to augment security checks of passengers, baggage, employees and all equipment used for aircraft maintenance.

It said it will strengthen control of all planes entering Tunisian airspace, and will start checking all Tunisian planes that return from abroad before allowing passengers aboard.