When Russian troops crossed into Ukrainian territory and set off a full-scale war in February 2022, most countries responded with sanctions, while both private and public companies pulled their businesses out of Russia.
Western airlines canceled all service into the country, and the governments of the United States, Canada, and the nations making up the European Union have all closed their airspaces to all Russian aircraft.
Creating particular challenges for European airlines flying east to Asia, Russia retaliated by closing its airspace to all but a few select nations it views as friendly.
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Airline calls choice to run Russia flights ‘commitment to expanding international footprint'
Established in 2007 as a budget airline for the Middle East, Saudi Arabian carrier Flynas confirmed that it is preparing to start thrice-a-week service to Moscow from the Saudi capital of Riyadh.
The inaugural flight has been set for Aug. 1 and will connect King Khalid International Airport (RUH) with Moscow’s Vnukovo (VKO).
While Flynas will be the first airline to run a flight between Moscow and Riyadh, flagship carrier Saudia is also slated to start service to the larger Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO) in Oct. 2025.
Related: Ukrainian airline starts flying for first time since invasion
All this comes at a time when Russian attacks on Ukraine and civilian infrastructure are in their fourth year — a Russian July 10 drone attack on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv killed two and injured 25.
Western countries are no closer to reviving diplomatic ties with Russia, as the Putin-led government continues to insist on appropriating territories and destroying Ukrainian statehood.
“Adding Moscow to our network is a testament to Flynas' commitment to expanding our international footprint and connecting Saudi Arabia with key global markets,” a Flynas spokesperson said in a statement. “This new route will not only boost tourism and business travel but also foster greater cultural exchange between our nations.”
The airline is also launching new routes to Milan, Geneva, Krakow, and Casablanca.
Airlines that have continued to fly to Russia since 2022 include largely Middle Eastern carriers like Qatar Airways, Oman Air, Turkish Airlines, Emirates, flydubai, and Azerbaijan Airlines.
Russian charter airline Nordwind has also recently secured a license to launch flights to the North Korean capital of Pyongyang from Moscow by the end of July.
Image source: Shutterstock
These airlines kept flying to Russia since the start of the war
Despite certain ties with countries like North Korea and Saudi Arabia, the Russian aviation industry has been on the verge of collapse since the start of 2025 — local outlet Izvestia reported that at least 30 mid- and small-scale airlines in the country are at a “burnout point” of looming bankruptcy amid low traveler numbers and lack of access to Western airplane parts needed to repair aging aircraft.
More on travel:
- Another regional airline is now on the verge of bankruptcy
- Government issues new travel advisory on popular beach destination
- Another country just issued a new visa requirement for visitors
These include both the country's flagship carrier Aeroflot (AERZY) and smaller regional carriers like Rossiya, Ural, and Yakutia Airlines.
As the war in Ukraine shifted deeper into Russian territory, the country recently shut down all its major airports amid a series of Ukrainian drone attacks throughout July 5 and 6. At leats 171 flights in Sheremetyevo were canceled over those two days, while a further 90 flights departing from Pulkovo Airport (LED) in St. Petersburg were also canceled.
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