Russian national flag carrier Aeroflot and Domodedovo International Airport (DME)-based S7 Airlines are set to begin flying new routes between Russia and Morocco for summer 2021. Currently, Russia is not on Morocco's list of banned countries, and both airlines hope that the situation will remain the same as we move towards warmer weather.

S7 Airlines will begin flying to Casablanca once a week from Moscow on Friday, April 30, and then switch to Sunday starting May 9. The route, which will be S7 Airlines first to the North African country, will be operated using Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

Royal Air Maroc also serve Moscow

The five-hour ten-minute flight S7 3775 will depart Moscow Domodedovo (DME) at 12:10 and arrive at Casablanca’s Mohammed V International (CMN) at 15:20. The return flight, S7 3776, will depart CMN at 16:20 and arrive at Moscow, DME at 01:10.

S7 Airlines will join Moroccan national flag carrier and fellow oneworld alliance member Royal Air Maroc on the Moscow Casablanca route. Currently, Royal Air Maroc flies to Moscow twice a week from Casablanca and is set to add an additional weekly flight in June.

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Casablanca is the largest city in Morocco. Image: GCmaps

Located in the western part of Morocco, bordering the Atlantic Ocean, Casablanca is the largest city in the country and is home to 3.7 million people. Casablanca remains the county's main port and is the economic and business heart of the country.

Aeroflot to fly to Agadir

Aeroflot intends to fly to Agadir Al-Massira International Airport (AGA) three times per week from Sheremetyevo - A.S. Pushkin international airport (SVO) starting in June. Along with its flights to Agadir, Aeroflot will introduce a weekly service to Casablanca from Moscow, Sheremetyevo.

Unlike Casablanca, Agadir is Morocco's premier beach resort geared towards international tourism. Following a devasting earthquake in 1960, the city was completely rebuilt with wide boulevards and a spectacular beachfront promenade. With white sandy beaches, clean water, and over 300 days of sunshine per year, Agadir will appeal to Russian's looking for a summer sun destination.

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PCR tests remain key to travel

The news of Russia to Morocco flights comes amidst the ongoing COVID-19 medical emergency and has both S7 and Aeroflot betting that Russia will remain off Morocco's list of banned counties. Morocco has done a good job with its vaccine rollout and, together with Russia, continues to see a decline in the number of people becoming infected.

Despite the success both countries see regarding COVID-19, a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test will remain a key feature of future travel between the two counties. Russians flying to Morocco will need to present a certificate in English, French, or Arabic that states they tested negative for the coronavirus no later than 72 hours before arriving in Morocco.

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Agadir could prove to be popular with Russian tourists. Photo: Getty Images

When arriving back in the Russian Federation, citizens must upload proof of a negative PCR test to a government portal. Until they have done this, they must self-isolate at their place of residence or temporary stay.

Moroccans or any other foreigners arriving in the Russian Federation or transiting through Russian airports must provide a negative PCR test certificate obtained no earlier than 72 hours before arrival. The form can be in either Russian or English.

The schedule information in this article was originally published by Routesonline

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