Russia tightens security during flights to Turkey

Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsiya) has sent a directive to the Russian air carriers and airports on the introduction of additional measures to ensure safety of passengers and minimize all risks and threats during regular flights between Russia and Turkey, the agency’s press service reported. "To ensure the safety of passengers and minimize all risks and threats during regular flights between Russia and Turkey Rosaviatsiya has sent to the Russian airlines and airports a directive on the immediate introduction of the additional aviation security measures," the press service said. On November 28, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree "On measures to ensure Russia’s national security and protection of Russian citizens against criminal and other illegal acts and on the application of special economic measures against Turkey." In accordance with the decree, Russian tour companies and travel agents are to refrain from selling tours to Turkey. The Russian government has been instructed to take measures providing for a ban on charter flights between the two countries.