The document quoted by the newspaper states that the relatively small Pskov airport, located near the Estonian-Latvian border, could join the list of routes used by migrants.
“Pskov airport could pick up flights from Belarus, Turkey and Egypt, from where migrants may try to cross the Estonian-Latvian border illegally to travel to northern and western Europe,” it said.
Currently, Pskov Airport is used only for Russian domestic and military flights, but it can also accept large international flights.
“Several weeks ago we received information that Pskov airport wants to be opened to international air traffic. Namely, Pskov airport, like several other Russian airports, has requested permission to operate international flights. It is planned to serve flights to Belarus, Turkey and Egypt,” Postimees told the newspaper Egerts Beļčevs, Head of the Border Guard Division of the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board.
“In September, Russia announced that it was reopening a number of routes due to restrictions imposed by Covid-19, and several small airports were again allowed to fly to holiday destinations in Egypt and Turkey. Pskov airport is also expected to serve charter routes to Russian tourists. There have been no such flights to Pskov, “he said.
“We are closely monitoring the situation with regard to air traffic in neighboring countries in order to change our assessment of migration risks if necessary,” Balichev said. At the same time, he emphasized that at present it “does not create additional migratory pressure” on Estonia.
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