Brazil and Russia Agree to Pursue Direct Flights, But Airlines Hold the Key

Brazil and Russia have reached a preliminary agreement to launch direct flights between the two countries, though no timeline has been set. Brazil’s ambassador to Russia, Sergio Rodrigues dos Santos, confirmed the understanding in an interview with Gazeta.Ru, saying both governments have committed to prioritizing the matter.

The ambassador stressed that while officials have aligned on the goal, the actual launch depends entirely on commercial airlines. “Issues like routes or flight frequency are discussed between governments, but how these flights will be operated is the prerogative of individual carriers,” Rodrigues dos Santos explained. This means travelers shouldn’t expect immediate bookings—the ball is now in the court of private aviation companies.

The announcement comes amid broader shifts in travel policy. Separately, Serbia recently confirmed it will maintain its visa-free regime for Russian citizens, as stated by Serbian minister Nenad Popovic. For now, Russians heading to Brazil must still connect through hubs like Dubai, Istanbul, or Paris, with no direct option on the horizon until airlines step in.