Egypt's amb.: 60 flights weekly from Russia to Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh as of Aug 27.

CAIRO - 21 August 2020: Egypt's Ambassador in Moscow Ehab Nasser said 60 flights will be operational weekly from Russia to each of Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh Red Sea resorts as of August 27.

At a press conference, the Egyptian diplomat said "Egypt warmly welcomes the return of Russian tourists to Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh, and it is very important to the tourism business organizations and the industry".

The ambassador noted that resumption of regular flights between the two countries will help in boosting their ties, asserting that the tourism is very important for the economies of both sides as it creates more job opportunities.

He made it clear that aviation movement will be daily between the two countries.

Nasr described the recent full resumption of flights between Egypt and Russia  as “a big and positive development.”

In TV statements to Extra News, Ambassador Nasr said that flights between both countries are considered the most important bridge between both peoples despite the coronavirus crisis.

"We're still working to determine the number of flights," the diplomat said, noting that they are coordinating action with a Russian committee concerned with measures to counter Covid-19 pandemic.

In his remarks, Nasr also tackled the ongoing cooperation between Cairo and Moscow to face the coronavirus crisis, particularly in terms of securing COVID vaccines.

The decision to resume tourism flights to Egypt has been praised by many officials and workers in the Egyptian tourism sector, after a long hiatus that lasted for six years.

Bashar Abu Taleb, the head of the Red Sea Tourist Guides Syndicate hailed the decision saying that the Russian tourism is very important to Egypt, adding that “Russian tourists always felt  they were home when they are in Egypt.”

He explained that the incoming tourists from Russia were always in large flocks, heading to Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh.

Tourism expert Abu el-Haggag el-Emary said that the resumption of the Russian flights “will compensate the losses the sector experienced, especially after the global repercussions witnessed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Ministry of Health continues the vaccination of workers in tourism sector, aiming to secure tourism destinations and re-assure foreign delegations coming to the Red Sea, as well as all tourist facilities.