Is there enhanced security screening for tourists at Sharm El Sheikh airport?

On a recent departure, screening—including the check in the glass inspection area—was quick and fairly superficial. A new requirement was to enter full name, flight number, and other details by hand in a logbook twice; the strictness of screening may vary by shift. Entry to the airport is now allowed no earlier than four hours before departure.

The airport currently operates in normal mode with no special changes. There has never been a separate terminal for Russia-bound flights — most international departures, including to Russia, go through Terminal 1. However, passengers flying to Russia do go through an extra security check before boarding that other travelers don't have.

Long queues at passport control are usually not due to extra security measures but happen when several flights land around the same time, overwhelming the few border control booths.

Following the 2016 Sinai plane bombing, Egypt significantly tightened security at Sharm El Sheikh airport, and these measures are still in place years later, especially affecting the departure area and screening for Russian tourists.