Russian tour companies lose $77.5 million a month due to Egypt flight ban

Losses of Russia’s tourism industry following the suspension of flights to popular Egyptian resorts are estimated at five billion rubles ($77.5 million) per month, commercial director of Tez Tour, one of Russia’s leading travel operators, said on Wednesday. "As for losses in the tourism sector, I can assess them in five billion rubles ($77.5 million)," Alexander Burtin said, adding that some 50,000 tourists per week used to depart for Egypt with an average tour package cost of $350 per person. On November 6, President Vladimir Putin ordered flights to Egypt suspended amid security concerns. This followed the October 31 Russian airliner crash on the Sinai Peninsula and the loss of all 224 passengers and crew. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the flight ban would remain in force until Egypt had taken measures to ensure travelers’ safety.