Russia to Resume Flights with Morocco, 51 Other Countries

Rabat – Russia is set to resume flights to Morocco and 51 other countries that had been suspended to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

“As of Saturday, April 9, all restrictions on scheduled and low-cost flights between Russia and 52 countries will be lifted,” Russian aviation regulator Rossaviatsia said in a statement on Monday.

The country imposed broad travel restrictions since the start of the pandemic in 2020.

Russia is one of the countries in the world that has been hardest hit by the pandemic, with authorities reporting almost 13 million COVID cases and 335,000 deaths so far.

Rossaviatsia quoted the Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin saying “the [COVID-19] incidence rate is falling, which means that it is time to expand the destinations available to Russian airlines.”

Russia plans to resume flights to and from several “friendly countries,” Mishustin said – those who have not joined the latest wave of Western sanctions on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine, Reuters reported.

In North Africa, Russia will resume flights with Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Egypt.

The decision, which comes before the high tourist season in Russia, also allows flights to and from India, China, Argentina, and South Africa, Mishustin said.

Rossaviatsia listed a total of 52 countries deemed safe for air travel, including Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Jordan, Vietnam, and Brazil. The list, however, does not feature any European country.

Many Western countries, including European Union member states and the US, have cut off air links with Russia because of its military intervention in Ukraine.

Other sanctions include preventing Russian airlines from buying aircraft parts or maintenance services from Europe or the US.

Due to international sanctions, Russian airlines have been forced to change their routes, prompting uncommon stopovers in Morocco.

Russian airlines Azur Air and Nordwind have been spotted at Agadir International Airport for stopovers en route to Latin America.

Amid the recent flare up of Russia’s military offensive in Ukraine, Morocco is staying relatively neutral, emphasizing the need for a peaceful solution, and reiterating its support for the territorial integrity of all member states of the UN.