Russia has completely lifted travel restrictions on flights to the Dominican Republic, South Korea, and the Czech Republic. These are the first three countries for which Russia has fully lifted flight restrictions.

Russia lifts restrictions for three countries

Russia's state news agency reported that Russia has now fully lifted restrictions on flights to its first three countries: the Dominican Republic, South Korea, and the Czech Republic.

The arrangement kicked in last Friday, 27th August 2020, following a review by Russia's anti-coronavirus crisis center in the middle of August.

Apart from these three countries, all others are facing travel restrictions. Russia imposes flight quota arrangements, and these change periodically. For example, on Friday, the quota for regular flights to Egypt was increased.

Moscow-150-passenger-increase-Getty
Russian aviation has suffered significantly in the last few days following the conflict in Ukraine. Photo: Getty Images

Which airlines fly to Russia from the Czech Republic?

There was no immediate increase in frequencies following the news that restrictions are being lifted.

Between Russia and the Czech Republic, there are the following flights at the moment:

  • Aeroflot flies from Prague (PRG) to St Petersburg (LED), operated by Rossiya
  • Smartwings flies from Prague (PRG) to St Petersburg (LED) too, and these tickets are also sold by CSA Czech Airlines
  • Aeroflot flies from Prague (PRG) to Moscow Sheremetyevo (SVO)
  • CSA Czech Airlines also flies from Prague (PRG) to Moscow Sheremetyevo (SVO), and these tickets are also sold by Smartwings

CSA will increase frequencies between PRG and SVO in late September to daily. Currently, it runs the route as a four-weekly frequency.

SmartWings Boeing 737-800 taxiing at Corfu airport
Smartwings is now a minority owner of CSA. Photo: Getty Images

Which airlines fly to Russia from South Korea?

South Korea continues to maintain strict travel restrictions for tourism purposes, with quarantine remaining a mandatory requirement. South Korea is no longer allowing Russian citizens to travel there visa-free, and it is not issuing any visas at all, making travel even more difficult.

Thus, unsurprisingly, there is very little connectivity between the two countries. There is only one route:

  • Korean Air, codeshared by Aeroflot, once weekly between Seoul Incheon (ICN) and Moscow Sheremetyevo (SVO)
  • Aeroflot, codeshared by Korean Air, once weekly on the same route

Jointly, Aeroflot and Korean Air offer the route as a two-weekly service.

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Which airlines fly from Russia to the Dominican Republic?

Azur Air is currently the only airline flying between the Dominican Republic and Russia. Azur is running charter flights there, and these started this month.

Last week, Aeroflot announced that it would resume flying to the Dominican Republic. The Russian flag carrier has expressed an interest in resuming flights between Moscow Sheremetyevo (SVO) and Punta Cana (PUJ).

Flights have tentatively been announced to start on 1st October and are likely to run with Aeroflot's A350-900XWB aircraft.

What do you think of Russia easing restrictions for these three countries? Do you think airlines will use the opportunity to launch new routes