Russia Seeks to Resume Direct Flights with the US

Saturday, March 1, 2025

Russia has formally requested the resumption of direct flights between Russia and the United States, signalling a potential shift in diplomatic relations. During a bilateral meeting in Turkey, Russian officials urged their American counterparts to reconsider lifting airspace restrictions imposed since 2022.

According to Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, discussions emphasized “the need for practical results aimed at improving bilateral relations”.

Among the key proposals was the restoration of direct air connectivity, which has been suspended since the Ukraine conflict escalated in 2022.

Background: Airspace Bans & Flight Suspensions

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the United States, Canada, the European Union, and other Western allies banned Russian aircraft from their airspace. This led to:

• Major US and European airlines suspending operations to and from Russia.
• Delta Airlines terminating its codeshare agreement with Aeroflot.
• The UK, Germany (Lufthansa), and other nations restricting their air carriers from flying over Russian airspace.

In retaliation, Russia closed its own airspace to a wide range of Western countries, significantly impacting international flight routes.

Current Talks & Russia’s Request for Airspace Reopening

During the US-Russia talks in Turkey, Russian officials stressed the importance of “removing irritants” from previous American administrations and sought reinstating air travel between the two countries.

A US State Department spokesperson acknowledged that the meeting involved “constructive discussions” but did not confirm whether Washington is considering lifting air travel restrictions.

According to the US Department of Transportation, no official decision has been made regarding Russia’s request to reopen US airspace or resume direct flights.

Implications of Restoring US-Russia Air Travel

If direct flights were to resume, potential benefits include:

• Increased business and tourism opportunities for both nations.
• More efficient transatlantic flight routes, reducing travel times and operational costs.
• Reinstatement of key airline partnerships, possibly reviving codeshare agreements between US carriers and Aeroflot.

However, the ongoing geopolitical tensions and US sanctions against Russia remain major hurdles in reaching an agreement.

US-Russia Relations: What’s Next?

As per the US Department of State, while dialogue continues, any changes to current travel and aviation policies will require further diplomatic negotiations.

With sanctions still in place and Western airspace restrictions remaining firm, the timeline for a possible resumption of direct US-Russia flights remains uncertain.