Air transportation to Egypt to fall by 25%

Russian tour operators plan to cut down the volume of air transportation to Egypt by 25% in the upcoming winter season due to fall of demand for the destination and the public disturbance and political instability in the country – reports RIA.Tourism News Agency. “Our estimations show the demand for Egypt-bound tours from Russia has fallen by 20-25% compared to the previous year, and one of the reasons for that is the unstable political situation in the republic. Consequently the volume of air transportation may be reduced accordingly” – said TEZ Tour’s PR Director Mrs. Marina Makarkova.

Director General of NTC Intourist Mr. Viktor Topolkararev sees the transportation shortening at 30%. He believes it is connected not only with the unstable political situation in Egypt but also with the overestimation of the destination by Russian tour operators. “This spring and summer, when everything was going in Egypt quite like it is now, the sales were stable, the flights were filling up. But as soon as the destination started to be profitable again, many of the market players hurried up and announced the expansion of their programs. However, not all expectations have been satisfied and now we have to correct our plans” – he explained.

Anna Podgornaya, Director General of Pegas Touristik revealed that her company was not going to reduce their flights program. “Both Moscow and regional winter programs to Hurghada and Sharm-el-Sheikh are already underway. No plans to change it so far. The flights’ payload goes according to our plans” – defined Mrs. Podgornaya.

Most tour operators agree that the winter on Egyptian destination will be tough, yet more predictable than it was last year. “One can’t say that this year’s prices are much lower than last year. In this matter the Egyptian side follows the right strategy, otherwise the tourist product may easily be killed” – concluded Anna Podgornaya.