Los extranjeros detenidos en Rusia pueden extender sus visas

Foreigners, forced to stay in Russia because of flight cancellations caused by the volcanic eruption in Iceland would be able to extend the visa without leaving the airport, – stated RIA Novosti.

“Those who have expired Russian visas can get an extension for three days per €25 per person”, – said press service of the Russian diplomatic agency.

To facilitate the procedure at airports Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo in Moscow and Pulkovo in St. Petersburg consular officers will be constantly on duty.

For transit passengers, passing Russia without visas, the term of legal stay in Russia is extended to 72 hours.

The majority of flights were canceled at Sheremetyevo, the total of passengers detained in Russia goes on tens of thousands. According to the press service of the airport, they actively provide meals and accommodation for passengers.

However, airlines do everything possible to help tourists reach their homes. Press office of Aeroflot says that the most spacious of the available aircrafts are sent on flights to European destinations, which are still open.

As of Monday, April 19, the airport Sheremetyevo does flights to Rome, Barcelona, Athens, Turkey, Egypt and some other countries.

Many passengers chose to travel home by other transport means: by rail or bus.

The volcanic eruption, located near the capital of Iceland Reykjavik, took place on 20 March this year and again on April 14. As a result, the cloud of volcanic ash extremely dangerous for aircraft engines, spread over Europe.

According to experts, there is no full confidence in the future behavior of the volcano. It is possible that it will interfere with the normal functioning of airlines for a few weeks or even months.

In turn, the airlines because of the cancellation of flights each day lost several hundred million Euros. So, they show a keen interest in the speedy resumption of flights. Association of European Airlines, which brings together the largest European carriers, express doubts about the appropriateness of taken measures – reports RIA Novosti. The carriers are concerned about the safety of passengers, but call for an adequate assessment of the situation. As its main argument, Association considers 27 test flights of airlines Lufthansa, Air France and KLM.