Resumption of charter flights from Russia to Egyptian resorts is a matter of near future, Transport Minister Maxim Sokolov told reporters.

"As for resumption of charter flights to the destinations which are popular among our tourists - to the Red Sea coast, Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada - that is a matter of the near future," he said.

Sokolov also said the Transport Ministry will prepare a conclusion on security of airports at Egyptian resorts after January 20. He added that the ministry will soon report to the government on the results of the recent inspection of the Cairo airport.

In December 2016, Sokolov said that the flights between Russia and Egypt would most probably be resumed in January 2017.

Russian experts conducted their last regular inspection of the Cairo airport in December 2016. Currently, the Ministry is preparing the report on the results of the inspection.

According to reports by Egyptian media, the final visit of Russian experts to the airport of Cairo and setting dates for resumption of flight connection are expected on January 18-20.

There are also groups of Russian experts inspecting the airports of Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada now, he said.

Talks on the resumption of air communication with Egypt has been on since the end of 2015. The air traffic between the two countries was suspended in November 2015, after the terrorist attack on board an aircraft of Kogalymavia company, which was flying from Sharm El Sheikh to St Petersburg.