According to forecasts of observers, under the best-case scenario flights to Egyptian resorts can start in late June, such expectations are voiced in the Egyptian media, ATOR reports.
Experts say that an unlimited number of flights (regular and charter) are discussed for Hurghada. It is assumed that at least at the initial stage the number of flights will be quoted (up to 12 per week) for Sharm el-Sheikh.
It became known on April 23 that the presidents of Russia and Egypt agreed on the resumption of direct flights from Russia to Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh.
However, there has been no official information on when the flights will be resumed.
According to the Egyptian media, one of the conditions of the Russian side for the resumption of direct flights to Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh was vaccination of tourist sector employees. According to the Egyptian Health Ministry, workers in the hospitality industry in the Red Sea resorts were vaccinated against the coronavirus by the end of May.
The disease situation in Egypt, according to experts, now meets the criteria of Rospotrebnadzor for the resumption of air travel.
In addition, the program subsidizing tourist transportation and benefits for airline service at resort airports have been extended until October 31, 2021.
According to Egyptian media reports, late last week a Russian delegation on aviation security visited Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh. As noted by sources, the specialists were sent to actually prepare for the reception of Russian airliners.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi personally instructed the governors of the Red Sea provinces (Hurghada, Marsa Alam and others) and South Sinai (Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab, Taba) to prepare the resort areas for the return of Russian guests.
It is a question of improving and repairing the existing infrastructure (beaches, embankments, streets, sewage treatment plants) and the construction of new facilities (roads, campsites in the desert).
According to the estimate of the Minister of Tourism Khaled Al-Anani, subject to the resumption of tourist traffic from Russia and successful vaccination of other key inbound markets, Egyptian tourism will return to pre-pandemic volumes in mid-2022.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Creative Commons
Based on materials from RIA Novosti