Russian President Vladimir Putin has authorised commercial flights between Egypt and Russia to resume following a two-year suspension, in a move expected to place further pressure on the British government to review their own stance on flights to Egypt.
Amr El-Ezabi, UK & Ireland director for the Egyptian State Tourist Authority, said: ?We are very pleased that flights between Egypt and Russia will now resume, as it?s a clear sign of the confidence that the Russian government has in the aviation and airport security standards that Egypt has introduced. We hope this will encourage flights back to Sharm el-Sheikh from the UK so that travellers can return to the destination.?
Once a key winter sun destinations for British tourists due to its year-round warm weather, beaches and value for money, Sharm el-Sheikh has suffered since flights from numerous European countries to its airport were suspended following the 2015 crash of a Russian Metrojet aircraft shortly after take-off.
Russia suspended all flights to Egypt and Sharm el-Sheikh, immediately after this incident, citing security concerns with the airports. The Egyptian government has since invested ?20 million to raising airport security standards and working with a British aviation security firm.
All European countries, except for the UK, have now permitted flights to resume. Egypt?s Minister of Tourism, Mohamed Rashed affirmed that the announcement was a positive step toward returning international visitation figures to Egypt to their 2010 peak by the end of 2018.
EgyptAir will initially operate services from Cairo to Moscow three times per week from February.
