According to recent reports, five Russian airlines - Aeroflot, Royal Flight, Nordwind Airlines, Pegas Fly, and Azur Air - are eyeing more destinations in Latin America. The future destinations are cities in Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Brazil, and Venezuela. What else do we know? Let’s investigate further.
What are the Russian airlines’ plans in Mexico?
Mexico is one of the favorite destinations for Russian travelers in Latin America. Along with leisure cities in Cuba and the Dominican Republic, many Mexican beaches like Cancun recieve a substantial influx of Russian people. Therefore, there’s a market that can be pushed forward.
According to recent reports by several media outlets, Aeroflot, Royal Air, and Nordwind Airlines recently filed permission with Rosaviatsiya to operate new routes to Mexico. Rosaviatsiya is Russia’s civil aviation authority.
Aeroflot aims to operate the Moscow-Cancun route with seven flights per week, as reported by Aviacionline. In the meantime, the Mexican Tourism director, Miguel Torruco Marqués, tweeted,
“The airline’s president (Mikhail Poluboyarinov) opened up the possibility of Aeroflot regularly flying to Cancun and Mexico City.”
On this route, Aeroflot could use either the Boeing 777-300ER or the Airbus A350-900.
Additionally, Royal Flight, a charter airline based in Abakan, is planning four different routes to Cancun. Royal Flight wants to operate from Moscow, Yekaterinburg, Perm, and Samara; each would have up to two flights per week. Royal Flight could fly with the Boeing 777-300ER.
Finally, Nordwind Airlines is also looking to launch three more routes to Cancun (the carrier already flies from Moscow). Nordwind will operate from Rostov Platov, Saint Petersburg, and Kazan.
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The current connectivity in Mexico
Currently, only two Russian airlines operate in Mexico. These are Nordwind and Azur Air, both connecting Moscow with Cancun.
Nordwind uses its Boeing 777-200 and 200ER fleet on this route, while Azur Air flies with the Boeing 777-300ER, according to Cirium.
Azur Air will operate 18 flights between September and October, offering up to 7,704 scheduled seats. According to local media outlet T21, it will create revenues of up to 8.7 million dollars.
Azur Air’s plans in Brazil
Currently, Azur Air flies four routes to Latin America, according to Cirium. It flies to Cancun, and La Romana, as we have detailed before, as well as Cayo Coco and Varadero in Cuba.
Azur Air offers up to 65 monthly flights between Russia and Latin America, with 21,125 seats available.
But now, Azur Air plans to double up its connectivity in the region, according to local reports. The airline filed permission to operate four routes to Rio de Janeiro from Kazan, Moscow, Saint Petersburg, and Yekaterinburg.
Azur Air would operate its route to Moscow twice a week, while the other routes would only have one weekly frequency.
What about Venezuela and the Dominican Republic?
Three Russian airlines have received authorization from Rosaviatsiya to operate four different routes to Venezuela.
Azur Air will fly Moscow-Caracas and Moscow-Porlamar with two weekly frequencies. Meanwhile, Nordwind Airlines and Pegas Fly will operate the Moscow-Porlamar route with seven flights per week.
A few months ago, the Venezuelan State carrier Conviasa launched its Caracas-Moscow flights.
Finally, Aeroflot also plans to launch new flights to the Dominican Republic. Currently, only Azur Air connects Moscow with La Romana International Airport.
What do you think about these new routes between Russia and Latin America? Let us know in the comments.