US visa delays might halt direct flights : Russia

Saturday, April 21, 2018

The increasing delays by the United States in issuing visas might result in flagship airline Aeroflot to end its flights to the U.S. according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.

 
The State –owned Aeroflot is the only airline which has year-round U.S flights scheduled.

 
A ministry statement mentioned that it was senseless to apply for  a visa as the waiting time for interviews for U.S visa applicants had stretched to 250 days.

 
The growing difficulty in obtaining American visas might force Aeroflot to stop flights and the crews are facing immense problem as per the statement.

 
According to a  news agency the company cited of several visa problems, however they did not provided much details.

 
But the ministry specified that the recent closure of the U.S Consulate in St.Petersburg should not be affecting the visa waiting times.

 
The situation was described as dismal by the ministry spokesman who stated that they cannot rule out that their country may be left without flight connection.

 
The Russian Foreign and Transport Ministries were appealed by Aeroflot for assistance but the US Consulate in Moscow mentioned that the delay in issuing visas was due to staff shortages.

 
Dmitry Peskow stated that there was no objective reasons  for the Americans to have difficulties with visa activities there and that they were deeply concerned and did not like the development of events.

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