Foreign Airlines Restrict Flights to Russia

RST

International air connectivity with Russia is becoming increasingly unstable. Foreign carriers are extending suspensions on certain routes, reducing flight programs or temporarily cancelling services. Schedules are being affected by tensions in the Middle East, security risks in Russian airspace and regular airport closures during drone attacks.

Which Airlines Have Restricted Flights to Russia

Israel’s El Al has imposed some of the longest-running restrictions. Vedomosti reports that the carrier does not plan to resume the Moscow–Tel Aviv route until March 25, 2027. The airline has already postponed the restart several times after suspending the service in summer 2026 because of security risks in Russian airspace. Direct flights between the two countries are still operated by Russian airlines.

Air Arabia has also reduced its Russia program. According to the Russian Union of Travel Industry, regular services have effectively been suspended since February 28, with only a few trial flights operated during the summer. One of the reasons is the need to bypass Iranian airspace. From October 8, the airline plans to restore daily Sharjah–Moscow flights, increasing the frequency to two flights per day from December 12. Other Russian routes will remain suspended through March 27, 2027.

Air Tanzania introduced restrictions for several days. On September 4, the carrier suspended services after assessing security risks along the route, Reuters reported, but resumed operations on September 7. The airline currently operates up to three flights a week on the Moscow–Zanzibar–Dar es Salaam route. Demand remains strong, with average load factors reaching 89% in August.

Other foreign carriers have also made adjustments. Euronews names Pegasus, Flydubai and Air India among the airlines that changed schedules or operating conditions for flights to Russia. The scale of these measures varies, ranging from isolated cancellations to changes in timetables and routes.

Disruptions at Russian Airports Have Become Regular

On September 1, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said risks to civil aviation in Russian airspace were increasing and urged airlines and insurers to take the possibility of further restrictions into account. Russian authorities said they expected to maintain stable aviation operations and avoid prolonged disruptions, although this is becoming increasingly difficult in practice.

In August, Russian airports were temporarily closed 993 times, or an average of 32 times per day, according to Euronews. A total of 2,182 closures were recorded over the summer, already exceeding the figure for the whole of 2025 and standing six times above the monthly average, according to Osprey Flight Solutions. Restrictions affected 32 airports, including the Moscow aviation hub and St Petersburg.

The problem has continued into September. According to Flightradar24 data cited by Euronews, an average of 86 flights per day were cancelled in Russia during the first three days of the month. Such frequent disruptions make flight programs less predictable and complicate operations for both Russian and foreign airlines.

Consequences for Air Travel in Russia

Analysts at International Investment note that restrictions imposed by foreign carriers cannot yet be described as systematic: decisions are being made by individual airlines, while some changes are linked to hostilities in the Middle East. At the same time, regular disruptions at Russian airports caused by drone attacks and temporary airspace restrictions are becoming an increasingly important factor.

Frequent airport closures force airlines to change routes, divert aircraft to alternate airports and adjust schedules. This raises fuel, servicing and operational costs. Additional risks may also affect insurance terms, while unstable schedules make it more difficult to sell tickets far in advance.

The disruptions are also affecting travellers’ choice of transport. According to Euronews, business passenger traffic between Moscow and St Petersburg has fallen by 20–23%, while demand for rail travel has increased by around 20%. With a high probability of delays and cancellations, trains are becoming a more predictable alternative, particularly for business trips with tight schedules.

If the current situation persists, demand may continue to shift towards alternative modes of transport. Travel through Russian airports is becoming less predictable, while rising risks reduce the appeal of some routes for tourists, businesses and foreign carriers.