The Metrojet's Airbus A-321 with registration number EI-ETJ that crashed in Egypt's Sinai peninsula, is seen in this picture taken in Antalya, Turkey September 17, 2015. (Reuters Photo)

MOSCOW, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree to resume direct flights to the Egyptian capital of Cairo after more than two years of suspension due to a plane crash, the country's official website for legal documents showed Thursday.

The first flight will likely be launched in February, Russian Transport Minister Maxim Sokolov said in Moscow last month following a meeting with visiting Egyptian Civil Aviation Minister Sherif Fathy.

Russia suspended all direct flights to Egypt after a Russian airplane bound for St. Petersburg crashed on Egypt's Sinai Peninsula on Oct. 31, 2015.

Moscow said the airliner was hit by a bomb planted by terrorists after taking off from the Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh. All 224 people on board were killed.