MOSCOW: On Monday Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said after April 9, Russia wants to lift restrictions on flights to and from 52 countries as part of its efforts to reduce COVID-19-related measures. Russia intends to resume flights to and from Argentina, South Africa, and other “friendly countries,” referring to those that have not ratified the latest round of Western sanctions against Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine, which Moscow describes as a “special operation” to demilitarize its neighbor.
At the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, Russia imposed wide-ranging travel restrictions, many of which are still in effect, although it has steadily enlarged the list of countries considered safe for aviation travel.
According to Russia’s coronavirus task force; Algeria, China, Lebanon, Peru, and Pakistan are among the nations with which Russia will restart flights after April 9. Mishustin further stated that over the Russian-Chinese land border Russia will ease travel restrictions.
In response to Ukraine-related sanctions targeting its aviation industry, Russia has closed its airspace to aircraft from 36 nations, including all 27 members of the European Union.
Western nations’ punitive measures have also pushed Western companies to cancel lease contracts with Russian airlines totaling over 500 aircraft.
The restrictions also prevent Russian airlines from purchasing aircraft components or maintenance services from Europe or the United States, adding to the pressures already exerted on the world’s 11th largest aviation market by a ban on flying across North American and European airspace.
