Russia: Tourism union boss expects Egypt flight resumption in months not years

The Vice-President of the Russian Travel Industry Union, Yuri Barzykin, said the main reason for Russia suspending flights to and from Egypt was "the safety and security of air travel" and that this situation would be resolved in months rather than years, in Moscow on Wednesday. "More than 43,000 of our citizens have already left Egypt but this is not an evacuation, the majority left after completing their holidays," Bazrykin said. He estimated there "were 79,000 initially, that means less than half are left. And between 20 - 30 of November the majority of people will return home." Speaking about those who were unable to travel because of the suspension of flights to Egypt, Bazrykin said "believe me: Crimea and the Black Sea Coast are quite popular." He urged Russians not to "ignore the option to go on vacation inside the country and don't consider it as a destination only for winter recreation."