In 2023, Russia may resume direct flights with a number of countries, including Myanmar, South Africa, Vietnam, Mongolia, Saudi Arabia, and South Korea. This was announced by the head of the Federal Air Transport Agency Alexander Neradko.
“In the future, for the current year, the opening of air links with Myanmar, the resumption of flights to Vietnam, Mongolia, Saudi Arabia, and South Korea are being worked out. Russian airlines are considering the possibility of starting flights to the countries of the African continent — Ethiopia, South Africa, Algeria, Tunisia, and other states,” Mr. Neradko said during a round table in the Federation Council (quoted from “RIA Novosti”).
Direct flights to these countries were interrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Today, Russian airlines fly to 34 countries.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Transport of South Africa told TASS that the department is ready to consider applications for flights to the republic from Russian air carriers in a short time. So far, the Ministry has not received such applications. In January, it was reported that the Russian Federation and South Africa were planning to resume air traffic for the Russia-Africa summit, which is scheduled for July 26-29.
In February, Myanmar’s ambassador to Russia, Lwin U, said that flights to Myanmar could resume “in the next two months.”