Flights to Heraklion have reappeared on the schedule of Koltsovo International Airport (managed by Airports of Regions MC) after a two-year break. Starting on June 24, Ural Airlines resumes its flights to the Greek island of Crete. The Airbus A320 plane of the Russian carrier took off from Ekaterinburg at 14:47 local time.
From July 6 on, the flights will be operated on Tuesdays. The aircraft will depart from Koltsovo at 04:00 local time. The travel time will exceed 5 hours. Previously, flights to Heraklion from Ekaterinburg were performed in 2019. Passenger traffic on this route exceeded 24,000 people in 2019.
To enter Greece, Russian citizens must produce a certificate of vaccination with Sputnik V, done no later than 14 days before departure, or an express test for coronavirus antigen, done not earlier than 48 hours before arrival. Those who have not been exposed to the virus or taken a vaccine must provide a negative coronavirus test done not earlier than 72 hours prior to their arrival. In addition, travellers must complete the PLF (Passenger Locator Form) electronically on a dedicated website the day before arrival, indicating the place of stay and contacts in Greece.