Russian citizens eagerly waiting for the end to a government ban on air travel to Turkey as the summer season, critical for the latter’s coronavirus-battered tourism industry, is due to start.
A one-and-half-month ban on flights between Russia and Turkey will expire on June 1, yet uncertainty over whether Moscow will allow its citizens to travel is causing concerns among the industry as well as tourists.
The Russian government, however, has denied reports that the ban had been extended until the end of June.
The suspension has already dealt an early setback for Turkey, a top tourist destination for millions of Russians every year, and the tourism sector that is attempting to recover from a year of pandemic restrictions as new COVID-19 cases fall.
Even though their plans for April to June have been canceled, many Russian tourists remain committed to their bookings and are looking for alternative dates to travel to Turkey, according to Russian tourism industry representatives.
Anastasia Semenova, a Moscow resident, is among those eagerly waiting for a holiday in Turkey. She had been making vacation plans in case restrictions are lifted.
“Unfortunately, it is not possible at the moment. Turkey is beautiful in terms of climate, entertainment and budget. I would love to see the restrictions lifted,” Semenova told Anadolu Agency (AA).
