It looks as if the delay in the return of Russian flights is unrelated to ground handling services, as Russian Transport Minister Maxim Sokolov suggested on Monday. Egyptian officials signed an agreement covering ground handling services with Aeroflot’s general manager during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Egypt last year, the head of the Egyptian Aviation Services company, Mohamed Kamel, tells Al Ahram. All the required paperwork for the resumption of direct air travel between Cairo and Moscow was completed during Putin’s stay, he adds, noting that Russian officials appeared more concerned with security measures at the time. Kamel confirmed that Cairo Airport was ready to receive Russian flights. EgyptAir Chairman Safwat Musallam had said that flights with Moscow, which had been hoped would begin about two weeks ago, were postponed until April to ensure significant demand.