Russia’s Direct Flight Map Shrinks by a Quarter This Summer

This summer, travelers in Russia will have fewer options for direct international flights. According to the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR), nonstop service will be available to 31 or 32 countries during the summer of 2026—a 25% drop from the winter schedule. That’s down from 43 countries served just a few months ago.

ATOR attributes the reduction to a mix of seasonal shifts, rising fuel costs, geopolitical strains, and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The exact count depends on whether flights to Saudi Arabia resume. If they do, the full list includes destinations from Abkhazia and Azerbaijan to Vietnam, Ethiopia, and Turkey.

But not every destination on the list is open for package tours. Since March, operators have been barred from selling organized trips to Israel, Iran, Qatar, the UAE, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. Long-shot spots like Afghanistan and Iraq never drew much interest anyway.

Some popular winter routes have vanished entirely. Cuba and Venezuela are off the summer schedule due to fuel and geopolitical issues. The Middle East conflict also grounded flights to Kuwait and Bahrain, and in April, Algeria disappeared from the timetable. As of May 13, Aeroflot suspended service to the Seychelles.

Still, there’s hope for recovery. ATOR notes that seasonal routes to Mahe (Seychelles) and Colombo (Sri Lanka) could return, along with charters to Boracay in the Philippines. Moscow may also see new flights to Tunisia. And Air Tanzania is reportedly considering service from Moscow to Zanzibar and the Seychelles.

Demand for international travel remains strong. Aeroflot’s April data shows a 7.3% increase in overseas flights compared to last year. Overall, international passenger traffic in the first four months of 2026 rose 8.8%, reaching 4.4 million passengers. “There’s no slump in demand,” ATOR says. “And experts don’t expect any mass cancellations of summer trips abroad.”