Russian Tourists Received With Cocktails, Flowers at Turkish Airport

The first organized group of 189 tourists from Russia was met with flowers and cocktails at a Turkish airport in the resort city of Antalya.

After a warm reception at the airport they were taken to various resorts and hotels.

According to the deputy governor of the province of Antalya, Mehmet Yavuz, the flight that brought the tourists was not a charter one.

“The flight was organized within the framework of previously obtained permits for tour packages. As for charter flights, permission for their operation has not yet been granted,” Yavuz said.

In connection with the normalization of bilateral relations between Russia and Turkey, Russian President Vladimir Putin on June 30 lifted the ban on sale of tours and charter flights to Turkey.

On July 8, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev instructed the Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with other relevant authorities to submit to the Government within a week agreed proposals for the resumption of charter air transportation between Russia and Turkey.

Medvedev gave priority to transport safety, ordering no flights in regions with heightened terrorist threats, it adds.