El-Sisi sure more direct Egypt-Russia flights to resume, prompt more tourists to come
MOSCOW. Oct 16 (Interfax) - President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt says he is sure that direct flights between various Egyptian cities and Russia will be resumed.
Speaking at the Russian Federation Council on Tuesday, el-Sisi said that flights between Cairo and Moscow were resumed following Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Egypt in December 2017.
"I am sure that direct flights between other cities and districts of Egypt and Russia will certainly be resumed in the same positive manner that characterizes our relations," el-Sisi said, adding that this would encourage more Russian tourists to come to Egypt.
Russia suspended air services with Egypt in November 2015, after a Kogalymavia Airlines plane en route from Sharm el-Sheikh to St. Petersburg crashed over the Sinai Peninsula, killing all 217 passengers and crewmembers on board. The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) later classified the crash as a terrorist attack caused by a bomb.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said in December 2017 that Russia was basically prepared to resume flights between Moscow and Cairo. Several days later, the Russian Transport Ministry and the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority signed a protocol on the safety of civilian aircraft flights (its provisions have not been disclosed).
Russia resumed flights to and from Egypt on April 11, 2018, following a pause of more than two years. Currently, Aeroflot and EgyptAir fly only between Moscow and Cairo.