Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has announced the upcoming restoration of several direct air routes between Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation. The announcement, made during a joint press conference with Sergey Lavrov on July 17, 2026, signals a significant expansion of bilateral aviation ties. This move aims to re-establish connectivity with numerous regional airports that have seen suspended service for over a year and a half, facilitating easier travel for tourists and business professionals alike.
Restoration of Regional Aviation Links
The resumption of services specifically targets destinations that were restricted by the aviation authorities of Azerbaijan in December 2024. These restrictions were initially implemented as a safety precaution following a crash involving an AZAL liner in Aktau, which led to the temporary cancellation of flights operated by both the national carrier AZAL and various Russian airlines. The flight restoration program is expected to include the following cities:
- North Caucasus hubs: Grozny, Makhachkala, Vladikavkaz, and Mineralnye Vody.
- Southern and Volga regions: Sochi, Volgograd, Samara, and Saratov.
- Industrial centers: Nizhny Novgorod and Ufa.
Prior to the 2024 suspension, these routes served as vital corridors for regional trade and seasonal tourism, particularly for travelers visiting the Caspian coast and the Caucasian mineral springs.
Current Status of Transnational Routes
While regional connections were paused, air traffic between Baku and major Russian federal cities remained operational throughout the period. Direct flights have continued to serve high-demand corridors, ensuring that the capital of Azerbaijan remained accessible from the primary administrative and economic centers of Russia. Currently active routes include:
- Moscow (serving Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, and Vnukovo airports).
- St. Petersburg (Pulkovo Airport).
- Yekaterinburg and Krasnoyarsk.
The reintegration of the regional destinations is expected to reduce the pressure on these major hubs and provide more cost-effective options for passengers traveling from the Russian provinces to the Absheron Peninsula.
The stabilization of the aviation sector and the return to a full schedule of flights mark a new phase in the transport cooperation between the two nations. For the travel industry, this restoration means a projected increase in passenger turnover and the revitalization of cross-border tourism packages. Travelers are advised to monitor official airline schedules for specific commencement dates and ticket availability as carriers begin the technical process of reinstating these regional routes.