Tour operators and air carriers will need a few weeks to activate programs and start the first flights after the announcement of the official date of removal of restrictions and restoration of communication between Russia and Egypt, ATOR Executive Director Maya Lomidze told RIA Novosti.
Russian aviation security experts will conduct another inspection at the airport of the Egyptian resort town of Hurghada. Their arrival is scheduled for the end of January, the newspaper al-Masry al-Youm reported. The source specified that the delegation is expected to arrive through Cairo between January 20 and 25.
Lomidze drew attention to the fact that the information about the inspection of Russian specialists at Hurghada airport gives hope for the possible opening of Egyptian resorts for Russian tourists, but everything depends on the results of the meeting.
"Any opportunity to go on vacation abroad now will make both tourists and businesses happy. As soon as the real date of communication with Egyptian resorts will be announced and all existing restrictions will be removed, tour operators and air carriers will need three to four weeks to make the program and run the first flights to Red Sea resorts", agency interlocutor said.
She noted that not all countries encourage citizens to travel to Egypt for vacation, but the Land of the Pyramids itself is open to foreign visitors.
"There are certain requirements for compliance with safety standards, associated with COVID-19, but they do not strongly limit the possibilities of the guests," the representative of ATOR commented.
Flights between Russian cities and Egyptian resorts were suspended in November 2015 after a Russian airliner crashed over the Sinai Peninsula. Regular flights to Cairo were restored in April 2018, while Red Sea resorts remain closed to charters from Russia. Several delegations of Russian aviation security specialists inspected Egyptian airports.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
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