Russia's Lifts Post-Coup Ban On Flights to Turkey

July 22, 2016

Rosaviation, Russia’s Federal Air Transportation Agency, has lifted their temporary ban on flights to Turkey, the RBC news website reported Friday.

Rosaviation restricted regular flights to the country to “ensure [passenger] safety” after an attempted military coup in Turkey on July 15. The aviation authority announced Friday that they had “received assurances regarding prompt measures taken by Turkey to increase safety measures,” and told airlines they could resume service starting July 22.

Russia’s state carrier Aeroflot is to reopen airline ticket sales to Istanbul and Antalya on Friday. Charter flights remain banned as Russia's fragile relationship with Ankara begins to improve following the downing of a Russian jet by Turkish forces in November 2015. Moscow's ban on tour packages to the country was lifted last month.

President Erdogan announced a three-month state of emergency in Turkey on Thursday, with thousands being arrested or fired in the week since the failed coup. The revolt came less than a month after a terrorist attack on Istanbul’s airport, which killed 41 and injured more than 230 people.

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