Last year, domestic air travel within Russia saw fares rise by about 15 percent, moving from 14,857 rubles for a round trip to 17,135 rubles. The figure comes from a report by TASS, which cites a study connected to the T-installment plan service. Analysts note that price shifts on internal routes often reflect changes in fuel costs, airport charges, and seasonal demand, as well as how carriers promote monthly payment options to buyers. For travelers planning short hops between major cities such as Moscow, Saint Petersburg, and regional hubs, the current ticket landscape is shaped by these broader market forces. The result is higher domestic fares compared with the previous year, influencing budgeting for home travel within Russia.
International destinations also moved higher, with average international fares up by 8 percent during the same period. A round-trip ticket purchased from abroad now averages 62,421 rubles, up from 58,001 rubles a year earlier. The uptick aligns with global air-transport pressures, including fuel costs, post pandemic demand normalization, and exchange-rate effects on ruble quotes. For travelers from Canada and the United States, currency fluctuations can magnify sticker prices when converting to rubles, and carriers sometimes price international itineraries in multiple currencies to reflect market risk. The data indicate a broader trend: international travel costs are higher than they were the previous year, affecting planning for cross-border journeys.
Tickets to CIS destinations rose the least, up 2 percent year over year, climbing from 27,541 rubles to 28,036 rubles. The smaller increase hints at relatively stable demand for intra-CIS travel, driven by business ties, family visits, and regional commerce. In many cases, travelers within the Commonwealth of Independent States find options that remain more affordable than long-haul flights, even as prices rise. This segment often serves as a reliable, lower-cost corridor for residents and workers who need predictable, regional trips.
Türkiye remains the most popular overseas destination for Russian tourists for the third year in a row, though demand is easing. The share of passenger traffic to Turkey fell from 40 percent last year to 28 percent in January through September. At the same time, interest in Thailand and the United Arab Emirates is growing among Russian travelers, signaling a shift toward a more diversified regional mix and different price sensitivities. Factors behind this shift may include evolving flight schedules, seasonal promotions, and visa or entry requirements that shape international getaways.
Earlier, the State Duma proposed fixing ticket prices as a consumer-protection measure. The idea would shield travelers from sudden spikes and provide greater price transparency across carriers. While the proposal has not become law, it reflects ongoing interest in stabilizing air travel costs for the domestic market and for international travelers booking Russian itineraries.
There has also been discussion about providing reasonable compensation for overbooking to protect passenger rights when flights are overbooked. Advocates stress that clear rules and predictable remedies help travelers recover time and resources while maintaining confidence in the air transport system. The topic remains under debate as stakeholders weigh feasibility, fairness, and practical enforcement.