Seeing Turkish safety measures, Russian delegation eyes possibly resuming flights

By Isa Toprak

ANKARA (AA) – Looking ahead to Russian tourists possibly resuming visits to Turkey, a delegation from Moscow on Thursday began looking into Turkey’s extensive safety measures to protect against COVID-19.

The delegation will prepare a report which will affect Moscow’s decision on resuming flights between the two countries, said a statement by the Turkish Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA).

The delegation arrived in the Mediterranean resort city of Antalya on Thursday morning and toured Antalya Airport and two hotels. They will visit facilities in Antalya that have earned Safe Tourism Certificates and speak with public authorities and sector employees.

The delegation's report is expected to be released this week, ahead of next Monday, when Russia’s current restrictions on flights to Turkey are due to expire.

Since first being detected in Wuhan, China in December 2019, coronavirus has claimed more than 3.83 million lives in 192 countries and regions, with more than 177.10 million cases reported worldwide, according to US-based Johns Hopkins University.

*Writing by Gozde Bayar