Flights From Russia to Egypt Pink Sea Resorts Resume
- Three direct flights from Moscow arrived in the two Egyptian resorts on Monday.
- Hurghada welcomed two tourist flights from Russia.
- Sharm el-Sheikh welcomed the first flight from Russia in 6 years.
The Egyptian Ministry of Civil Aviation announced that three direct flights from Moscow arrived at two Egyptian resorts yesterday, with Hurghada welcoming two and Sharm el-Sheikh hosting another.
Flights from Russia to Egypt Red Sea Resorts resume
After the explosion of a Russian passenger plane that killed all 224 people on board, Russia finally lifted its almost six-year flight ban in Egypt and resumed direct flights from Moscow to the Egyptian seaside resorts of Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh on the Red Sea on Monday recorded .
“The three flights marked the beginning of a new stage for the resumption of Russian tourism in the two resorts of Hurghada and Sharm El-Sheikh on the Red Sea,” the Egyptian Ministry of Civil Aviation said in a statement.
The Russian planes were traditionally greeted with a ceremonial water salute in order to receive new flights after landing, while the airport staff welcomed the visitors with roses, souvenirs and folklore music.
The direct flights to the Red Sea resorts complement the daily flights between Cairo and Moscow with the aim of attracting as many Russian tourists as possible to Egypt, said Abul-Enein, CEO of EgyptAir Airlines.
There are seven direct Egyptian flights to Red Sea resorts per week, and each can accommodate 301 passengers to meet expected demand from Russian tourists, while Russian planes organize five flights of the same duration, he said.
Russia is among Egypt’s top tourist markets, with the number of its tourists to Egypt exceeding 3.1 million in 2014, nearly 33 percent of the total inbound tourists that year, said Lamia Kamel, deputy minister of tourism and antiques for the promotion.
She confirmed that all employees in hotels, entertainment areas and museums have been vaccinated against COVID-19.
“The Russian tourists looked forward to returning to Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh to enjoy the sunny beaches, remarkable weather and marine activities,” said Kamel.
More tourist flows will help create new jobs in Egypt, especially during the pandemic, as the number of direct flights from Russia to Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh will eventually increase to 20 per week.
In October 2015, Russia suspended direct flights to Egyptian airports after a Russian plane crash in North Sinai. Since then, Egypt has worked to improve its security measures at all airports across the country.
In April 2018, Russia resumed flights between Moscow and Cairo, but maintained a flight ban to Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh.
