The first Russian tourists will likely be able to travel to Egyptian resorts via direct flights no earlier than this fall, Interfax reports, citing a source familiar with the situation.
"Negotiations on the resumption of direct air traffic between Russian "Inspections of the airports and Egyptian resorts of Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada have not yet begun; dates are being negotiated. So far, no invitations have been received from the Egyptian side to inspect the resort airports. Provided a constructive approach, the first group of Russian inspectors will travel there in July or August," the source said.
Depending on the results of the inspections, time will be required to agree on a number of formalities.
"If the airports of Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh meet all the requirements in a timely manner and demonstrate a sufficient level of equipment and control in terms of aviation security, Russian air carriers operating charter flights there could return as early as this year. However, this may not happen before the fall, most likely around the start of the winter tourist season at Egyptian resorts," the source said.
Direct flights between Cairo and Moscow resumed in mid-April after a two-year hiatus. They were interrupted in the fall of 2015, following the bombing of a Kogalymavia plane en route from Sharm el-Sheikh to St. Petersburg over Sinai.
Source: trn-news.ru