Azerbaijan and Russia to Restore Direct Flights After Suspension

Azerbaijan has announced it will resume direct flights to several Russian cities in the coming days, marking a thaw in air travel between the two nations. Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov made the statement during a joint press conference in Moscow alongside his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov.

"We expect the restoration of direct flights on a number of routes soon," Bayramov said, following talks that touched on transportation and bilateral ties. The announcement comes weeks after Azerbaijan Airlines abruptly suspended service to 10 Russian destinations, including Grozny, Makhachkala, Vladikavkaz, and Mineralnye Vody, as well as Volgograd, Sochi, Ufa, Samara, Saratov, and Nizhny Novgorod.

While neither minister specified exact dates or which routes would resume first, the move signals a step toward normalizing travel between the former Soviet republic and Russia. The initial suspension had stranded travelers and disrupted trade, with no official reason given at the time. Analysts suggest the halt may have been linked to regional security concerns or aviation insurance issues. For now, passengers can expect a phased return of service, though details remain sparse.