The share of regular passenger flights between Russian regions that avoid Moscow rose to 50 percent of all domestic flights in 2022, according to data from the State Air Traffic Management Authority. This marks a notable shift in how regional routes are utilized, reflecting a growing preference for direct interregional connections.
Looking back, in 2019, 39 percent of domestic flights bypassed the capital. That figure climbed to 45.6 percent in 2020 and reached 46.3 percent in 2021, illustrating a continuing trend toward regional routing patterns in Russia.
President Vladimir Putin has called for expanding the number of interregional flights that do not pass through Moscow, signaling an official push to strengthen regional air connectivity and reduce hub dependence.
In related travels, Russians have reported a range of challenges that can arise while on the move. A survey from a hotel reservation service found that 87.1 percent of respondents experienced some unpleasant situation during travel, while 12.9 percent reported no issues. The most common problems cited include flight delays or cancellations, language barriers, difficulty navigating unfamiliar cities or countries, and missing a flight. These insights help explain the everyday realities travelers face and underscore the importance of clear information and reliable logistics in domestic and international journeys. Source attribution for these figures comes from the hotel reservation survey discussions reported by socialbites.ca.