Too early to speak about resumption of regular air service with Egypt - Russian deputy PM

MOSCOW, December 8. /TASS/. It is too early to speak about resumption of regular air service with Egypt, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Olga Golodets said on Tuesday. "It is somewhat early to speak about it now. First, we should make sure such flights are safe. It is the question of flight security," she told journalists. "As soon as the Egyptians ensure comprehensive security system, we will be able to speak about it as the price paid by Russian citizens was too high," she said. On November 6, the Russian president agreed with recommendations of the National Anti-terrorist Committee to suspend air service with Egypt until the causes of the October 31 Russian A321 passenger plane crash in Egypt were identified. All Russian commercial air companies suspended regular, transit and chartered flights to Egypt from 20:00 Moscow time on November 6. Presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said back then flights to Egypt would be suspended until proper level of security was ensured. An A321 passenger jet of Russia’s Kogalymavia air carrier (flight 9268) bound to St. Petersburg crashed on October 31 some 30 minutes after the takeoff from Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh. It fell down 100 kilometers south of the administrative center of North Sinai Governorate, the city of Al-Arish. The plane was carrying 217 passengers and seven crew members. There were four Ukrainian and one Belarusian nationals among the passengers. None survived. Read more