Foreign airlines fill the gap: how the market for international flights from Russia is changing

What the modern market for international flights from Russia looks like

In the past few years the structure of Russia’s outbound air traffic has changed dramatically. Foreign airlines now operate close to half of all international departures – about 47 % today. Back in 2019 the figure was only a quarter. The number of countries still served by direct flights remains high – roughly thirty‑five destinations – while the domestic segment has shrunk only slightly.

What sparked the rise of overseas carriers?

The main driver has been the restrictions imposed after 2022. Sanctions and technical‑service problems forced Russian airlines to cut back their international fleets, leaving a number of aircraft grounded while waiting for repairs. That created a vacuum which foreign operators moved in to fill. Analysts estimate that by 2025 more than sixty foreign airlines will have carried almost 24 million passengers – a 25 % jump over the previous year. Russian carriers, by contrast, have increased their international volume by only a few percent.

How does it feel for travelers?

Competition has brought more direct flights and, more importantly, noticeable fare cuts. Looking at popular routes to Turkey and China, the average round‑trip price has fallen by about half. Without the influx of foreign flights, the shortage of Russian services could have pushed prices sharply upward, but overseas airlines have kept fares within reach. For most tourists this means flying abroad is now easier and cheaper, even though home‑grown airlines offer a limited schedule.

How are Russian airlines reacting?

The big players – Aeroflot, S7, Ural Airlines, Red Wings and Azur Air – have voiced concern that handing profitable international routes to foreign rivals threatens a key source of revenue. International flights help subsidise domestic operations, keeping ticket prices affordable for the public. In their view, without a sufficient earnings balance Russian carriers could face financial instability.

What could the market face in the coming years?

Experts warn that if demand for overseas flights stays strong, a fleet shortage may emerge by 2026‑2027. Some of the foreign aircraft that have been parked in Russian airline fleets could be retired. Possible responses include:

• Cabotage services – Russian airlines operate international routes under agreements with foreign partners.
• Wet leasing – renting fully crewed and maintained aircraft from abroad.
• Higher frequencies – adding more flights on existing routes until the home fleet is replenished.

These steps would preserve service levels but require regulator approval and fresh investment.

What should travelers keep in mind?

1. Watch schedule changes – in a fluid environment flights can be added or cancelled on short notice.
2. Compare offers from different carriers – the mix of domestic and foreign operators widens choice and helps you snag better rates.
3. Plan ahead but stay flexible – fares have already dropped, yet a further fleet reduction could push them up again.
4. Check ticket conditions – foreign airlines often have different baggage rules and change‑of‑date policies, which can be either convenient or restrictive.

Bottom line

The growing share of foreign airlines on Russia’s international routes is a direct consequence of sanctions and technical limits on the local fleet. Passengers enjoy more direct connections and lower prices, but Russian carriers now face fresh challenges as they try to balance revenue loss against competition. In the next few years the market will experiment with cabotage, leasing and other measures to keep flights stable. Travelers are advised to stay informed, compare options and be ready for possible schedule tweaks.

Based on materials from: trn-news.ru.