Some 15 Russian air companies ready to resume chartered flights to Turkey

Some 15 Russian air companies are ready to resume chartered flights to Turkey as permission is in place, head of Rosaviatsiya Alexander Neradko told reporters on Saturday.

"They are about 15 companies," he said.

All the companies, which formerly served chartered flights to Turkey, would like to offer flights, he added.

Earlier in the day, he told reporters tt may take Russian air companies several hours after a permission to resume chartered flights to Turkey. "Aviation companies are so mobile, that they need a few hours to have planes take off," he said. "A permission from Turkish authorities, a slot at the airport - this may be done within several hours."

The official said everything depends on how promptly tourist companies may put together a complete product. "As soon as it is formed, aviation companies may join the work," he said. "However, on the other hand, aviation companies already have structured their routes without all those chartered flights." They may have to change working time for the crews, so that there is no over-working, to see what resources they may use, what aircraft could serve the flights, he said.

On August 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a press conference that Russian tourist flow to Turkey will sooner or later return to the level before the crisis in relations. The Russian leader reminded that ban on selling tours to that country was lifted in June. "The main thing here is that Turkey ensures maximum security for Russian citizens, and we have received such guarantees from our partners," Putin noted. "In this regard, we considered the possibility of returning charter service. This is probably the matter of technical details," the president concluded.