An order from the Ministry of Transport introduces a family friendly policy aimed at easing air travel costs for children. The rule applies to domestic flights within Russia and targets children aged two to twelve who travel with an accompanying passenger. It also sets eligibility based on Russian citizenship, reflecting a focus on supporting local mobility and family travel. Airlines must clearly display the applicable discounts at the point of sale so families can see the savings before booking. The measure fits into broader efforts to boost domestic tourism and make travel more affordable for households with school age children, while establishing clear boundaries on where discounts can be applied. The policy also outlines how discounts are to be structured across different flight segments and fare classes, preventing misuse and ensuring consistency across carriers.
For domestic trips, children under two traveling with an accompanying passenger may receive a full discount, with no requirement for a separate seat for the child. For international itineraries, the policy promises a discount of at least ninety percent of the ticket price, ensuring substantial relief on cross border travel. These provisions create a tiered framework that rewards families for domestic travel while offering significant savings on international trips, subject to airline policies and fare rules. The overarching aim is to improve affordability without compromising safety and flight operations.
The order also specifies that minors who require a separate seat will be charged at fifty percent of the standard fare. At the same time, other children under two will continue to travel without a dedicated seat, accompanying an adult on the same booking. Exceptions are noted for business class tickets and subsidized routes, where the discount terms may differ or not apply. This structure ensures that families can plan trips with predictable pricing while recognizing the realities of seating arrangements and cabin configurations across different services.
In public remarks, a national leader urged that a fifty percent discount be maintained for large families on domestic flights and emphasized the need for airlines to implement the measure promptly and without manipulating preferential fares. The call underscored a push for timely adoption and fair pricing across carriers, with an expectation that compliance would be monitored and reinforced. While the specifics of timelines and enforcement may evolve, the intent is clear: safeguard predictable savings for families while maintaining transparent fare structures.
Previously, the ministry placed a duty on airlines to ensure adjacent seating for parents and children on the same journey. The new rules build on that baseline by detailing who qualifies for discounts, how different age groups are treated, and where exceptions apply. The outcome sought is a coherent, family friendly approach that makes flying more accessible for households with children and reduces the financial barriers to domestic and international travel alike. Airlines are expected to integrate these provisions into their pricing systems, issue clear guidance to sales teams, and align seating policies with the new discount framework.