Media: resumption of direct flights between Russia and Egypt resorts is postponed

UFA, 18 November 2019. /Bashinform News Agency/ translated by Tatiana Aksyutina/.

Russia has again postponed a resumption of direct flights with resorts in Egypt. In anticipation of the New Year's tours, there is no reason to talk about the return of Russian charters to the airports of Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh. It was reported on November 17 by «Interfax», citing words from an informed source.

According to the interlocutor of the agency, it is planned to return to this issue only in 2020. The fact is that the Egyptian airports, despite the reconstruction, do not meet the Russian safety standards. Experts have identified several shortcomings that have cast doubt on the adequacy of the measures taken. It is noted that Egypt only selectively complied with the conditions of Moscow regarding the anti-terrorist security of Russian citizens.

Air traffic between Russia and Egypt was completely interrupted in November 2015 after a crash of the plane of the Russian airline Kogalymavia over Sinai. In January 2018, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree to resume regular air traffic to Cairo. The first flight from Moscow took place on April 11 last year. Recently, Egyptian airports, including Cairo, Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh, have been inspected by several delegations of Russian aviation security experts and made some suggestions for improving security measures.