Russia resumes flights to Egyptian resorts after 6 years

Russia has resumed flights to Egypt’s Red Sea resorts, ending a six-year ban following the bombing of a Russian airliner that killed all 224 people onboard

CAIRO -- Russia resumed flights to Egyptian resorts on the Red Sea on Monday, ending a ban that had lasted around six years following the bombing of a Russian airliner that killed all 224 people onboard. The local branch of the Islamic State group said it downed the plane over Sinai in October 2015, shortly after the aircraft took off from the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. At the time, Russian officials insisted that security procedures at Egyptian airports were insufficient. Early on Monday morning, EgyptAir flight MS724 took off from Moscow with 300 tourists. Hours later, the Airbus A300-330 landed in Hurghada, a popular Red Sea destination, Egypt’s national carrier said in a statement. The Russian plane was welcomed by a ceremonial “water salute" on touchdown and Russian tourists, most of them wearing facemasks, were greeted with flowers and balloons upon disembarking.