In a significant development for international travel and the Russian aviation sector, Dmitry Yadrov, head of the Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsia), announced on May 19, 2025, that numerous nations which had previously suspended flights to Russia are now prepared to restore air connectivity. Speaking to TASS, Yadrov emphasized that ongoing consultations between Rosaviatsia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Transport, and the Ministry of Economic Development have yielded assurances from foreign aviation authorities that ready themselves to reopen skies to and from Russia (TASS).
This prospective restoration of air routes comes more than three years after widespread suspensions were imposed in the wake of Russia’s military actions in Ukraine in early 2022. Western sanctions led to bans on Russian-operated flights within European Union airspace and the freezing or seizure of Russian aircraft abroad. Business travelers, tourists, and global cargo operators alike have felt the pinch of these restrictions, resulting in circuitous routing, reduced flight frequencies, and higher airfare costs. Now, as the dialogue gains momentum, a new chapter in Russia’s reintegration into global air networks may be underway.
Background: Flight Suspensions and Their Impact
Immediately following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the European Union, the United States, Canada, and a host of other countries imposed bans on Russian carriers. Russian airlines were barred from overflying certain territories, and many foreign carriers reciprocally suspended services to Russian destinations (Reuters). This led to:
- Reduced Connectivity: Direct flights to Western Europe and North America ceased, forcing travelers to undertake lengthy multi-stop journeys via third countries like Turkey or the UAE.
- Operational Challenges: Sanctions complicated the leasing, maintenance, and insurance of Russian-registered aircraft, as many Western providers withdrew services.
- Economic Strain: Both inbound tourism and outbound travel plummeted, costing Russia billions in lost revenue and job opportunities in the hospitality and aviation sectors.
Against this backdrop, the announcement by Rosaviatsia marks a potential pivot back toward normalized air links, which could bolster tourism, trade, and cultural exchange.
Current Status: Direct Flights to 38 Countries
According to Yadrov, Russian carriers can today operate direct flights—without layovers—to 38 countries. Of these, 17 are served by both domestic and foreign airlines (TASS). Though Rosaviatsia has not publicly listed all 38 nations, industry observers note that routes to fellow BRICS members (such as China, India, and South Africa), Middle Eastern hubs (including the United Arab Emirates and Turkey), and certain Asian and CIS destinations have remained largely functional under bilateral agreements.
In many cases, foreign carriers such as Emirates, Turkish Airlines, and Air China have continued flying into Russia under exemptions or through special governmental arrangements. Likewise, Aeroflot and other Russian airlines have maintained services to destinations in Central Asia, the Caucasus, and parts of Southeast Asia where sanctions have been less disruptive.
Restoring fuller flight networks, particularly to Europe and North America, hinges on resolving two critical concerns raised by Russian authorities:
- Maintenance Guarantees
Russian airlines require firm assurances that their aircraft will receive essential maintenance, spare parts, and technical support abroad without falling foul of sanctions. Under current conditions, many Western suppliers have ceased servicing Russian-registered planes, forcing airlines to cannibalize parts from grounded aircraft or resort to makeshift repairs (TASS). - Immunity from Seizure
Russia is seeking written guarantees that foreign governments will not impound aircraft on the tarmac due to ongoing sanctions litigation or diplomatic disputes. The fear of asset seizure has deterred Russian carriers from operating in certain jurisdictions, even where overflight rights are technically open (TASS).
Diplomatic and Regulatory Coordination
Yadrov highlighted that Rosaviatsia is “in constant dialogue with the aviation authorities of many countries,” working jointly with the Foreign Ministry, the Transport Ministry, and the Economic Development Ministry to negotiate flight resumptions (TASS). These interdepartmental efforts aim to:
- Harmonize Bilateral Aviation Agreements: Updating air service agreements to reflect post-2022 realities, including reciprocal landing rights and traffic rights.
- Secure Technical Memoranda: Establishing protocols that permit third-country maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) organizations to service Russian-registered aircraft without breaching sanctions.
- Facilitate Airspace Access: Ensuring that air traffic control and overflight permissions are granted in a transparent, rule-based manner, minimizing political delay tactics.
On the international stage, Russia has also signaled its intent to raise the issue of flight resumptions at high-level diplomatic forums. For example, in early April 2025, during U.S.–Russia talks in Istanbul, Russian representatives planned to address the restoration of direct flights to the United States and the return of seized diplomatic properties—indicating the issue’s prominence in bilateral negotiations (Reuters).
Economic and Tourism Implications
Reopening air links carries substantial economic upside. Prior to 2022, Russia welcomed over 24 million foreign visitors annually, generating roughly $27 billion in tourism revenue. The suspension of flights led to a sharp downturn: by 2023, inbound tourism had declined by nearly 60%. Resuming regular air services could:
- Revive Tourism: Airlines restore routes to popular destinations such as Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Sochi, and Ekaterinburg, reawakening hotels, tour operators, and local businesses.
- Boost Business Travel: Multinational corporations and trade delegations regain easier access to conferences, trade fairs, and industrial sites across Russia.
- Increase Cargo Flows: Air freight lanes carry high-value goods—such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, and perishables—more efficiently, supporting Russian exporters and importers alike.
Domestic carriers stand to benefit as well. With improved international connections, Russian airlines like Aeroflot, S7 Airlines, and Ural Airlines can expand their codeshare and interline partnerships, offering seamless one-stop journeys to travelers in Europe, Asia, and North America.
Operational and Technical Challenges
Despite the political will on both sides, practical hurdles remain:
- Airworthiness Management: Sanctions curtailing the export of electronic components and specialized tooling have complicated compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) safety standards. Russian airlines are pursuing alternative supply chains in non-Western markets but still face certification bottlenecks.
- Insurance and Reinsurance: Major aviation insurers, headquartered in London and Bermuda, have withdrawn coverage for Russian-registered aircraft. While mutual aid pools and domestic insurers have stepped in, coverage gaps persist, particularly for liability and war-risk insurance.
- Talent Retention: The exodus of some trained maintenance engineers and pilots—who left Russia after 2022—has strained human resources. The industry is now focusing on recruiting and training new specialists under accelerated programs.
Addressing these issues requires not only intergovernmental agreements but also robust technical working groups involving regulators, airlines, MRO providers, and insurers from all affected countries.
Regional Highlights: Where Flights Persist
While many Western routes remain curtailed, Russia has continued to sustain air links with several regions:
- Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS): Uninterrupted services to Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan under legacy agreements.
- Middle East: Carriers such as Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, and Turkish Airlines maintain frequent flights to Moscow and other Russian cities, often operating in compliance with special aviation memos.
- Asia-Pacific: Chinese and Indian airlines, as well as carriers from Vietnam, Thailand, and Singapore, continue flights under bilateral arrangements largely insulated from Western sanctions regimes.
- Africa and Latin America: Although less developed, selective routes to South Africa, Egypt, and Cuba have remained functional, with potential for expansion as diplomatic ties strengthen.
Extending beyond these corridors requires carefully negotiated overflight permissions and ground-handling protocols, particularly for destinations in North America and Western Europe.
Prospects for Resumption with Europe and North America
Russia’s goal of restoring direct flights to European capitals and U.S. gateway cities faces the steepest diplomatic and legal barriers. European Union airspace bans apply uniformly to all Russian carriers, and American regulations remain stringent. Nonetheless, the fact that “many countries that suspended flights are ready to resume them” suggests that preliminary agreements could emerge by late 2025 or early 2026, contingent on progress in broader geopolitical dialogues (TASS).
Key steps include:
- Sanctions Relief for Aviation Services: Carving out exemptions that explicitly allow MRO activities, parts shipments, and software updates essential for aircraft systems.
- Reciprocal Safety Audits: Arranging for ICAO or bilateral safety audits that reassure foreign regulators of Russian airlines’ compliance with international norms.
- Legal Clarifications: Drafting protocols that shield aircraft from seizure in the event of future political frictions, thereby restoring carriers’ confidence to redeploy assets.
Should these measures be formalized, travelers could once again book direct flights from Moscow to London, Paris, Frankfurt, New York, and other major hubs—a development that would reverberate across global tourism and commerce.
The Road Ahead: Monitoring and Momentum
The reported willingness of foreign aviation authorities to engage with Rosaviatsia reflects a broader trend: an appetite for pragmatic solutions that balance political considerations with mutual economic interests. For Russia, the potential benefits are clear: revitalized tourism, more efficient cargo logistics, and reintegration into global transport networks. For partner countries, reopening air corridors can facilitate business, cultural exchange, and people-to-people contacts long stifled by geopolitical divides.
However, the pace and scope of flight resumptions will depend on sustained diplomatic engagement, technical alignments, and legal safeguards. Stakeholders will watch closely for:
- Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed between Rosaviatsia and foreign civil aviation authorities.
- Updates from the ICAO Council on any aviation sanctions relief measures.
- Announcements by Major Airlines regarding the reinstatement of specific routes and schedules.
Should the early negotiations bear fruit, passengers flying to and from Russia may soon experience the relief of shorter journey times, lower airfares, and the convenience of direct connections—heralding a new chapter in post-pandemic, post-sanctions travel resilience.
References:
- Aviation agency says many countries ready to resume air traffic with Russia (TASS)
- Russia is Discussing Direct Flight Deals With Multiple Countries, Air Transport Agency’s Chief Says (Sputnik Africa)
- Russia to raise resumption of direct flights at talks with US in Istanbul (Reuters)
