Rosaviatsia is evaluating the introduction of direct air services between Russia and the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Bahrain, and Kuwait for 2024, according to Interfax, citing Lev Kosinov, head of the department for transport regulation and international cooperation at the Federal Air Transport Agency.
The agency aims to resume flights to Manila in 2024 and to broaden the route network significantly to include China, Vietnam, and India. Kosinov outlined that these expansions would strengthen international connectivity and provide more options for passengers and cargo alike.
Active work continues on establishing air links with Saudi Arabia and Indonesia. At the same time, Russian carriers have shown interest in operating routes to Bahrain and Kuwait, reflecting a broader strategy to diversify international aviation partnerships and enhance fleet utilization.
Data from the year prior indicates that Russian airlines took delivery of 165 aircraft from foreign lessors at the end of last year and at the start of 2024. These newly acquired jets account for roughly 40 percent of the total number of imported aircraft, about 400, which historically belonged to Western lessors and remain in Russia despite sanctions implemented in 2022 and requests from lessors to return the aircraft.
Earlier reports also noted a higher incidence of birds impacting Russian aircraft, an issue that continues to be monitored by aviation authorities as part of ongoing safety and operational assessments.