VLADIVOSTOK (Russia), (Sputnik) — Passenger traffic of Russia's airlines is likely to decrease by 10 percent in 2016, but resumption of charter flights to Turkey and potential renewal of flights to Egypt could mitigate the losses, Russian Minister of Transport Maxim Sokolov told Sputnik Saturday.
"The domestic market has increased, according to up-to-date data by 6 percent. But because of catastrophic decline of international transport operations, the correction will reach some 10 percent," Sokolov said in an interview.
He added that the resumption of charter flights to Turkey and possible restoration of flights to and from Egypt could improve the situation, but the overall operations' volume would decrease anyway.
According to Sokolov, the ministry hopes that in 2017 the government will continue state support of the country's airlines.
Charter flights between Russia and Turkey had been suspended following the downing of a Russian Su-24 combat plane by Turkey over Syria in November 2015.
On June 30, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree instructing the government to take steps aimed at lifting restrictions on tourist travel to Turkey as well as on charter flights after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wrote a letter of apology to Russia.
On August 28, the Russian government signed a decree on lifting the existing restrictions on charter flights to Turkey.
