The Russian Ministry of Transport has denied plans to launch direct flights to Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport in South Africa.
Amid the war in Ukraine, Russian carriers discontinued flights to numerous destinations due to political sanctions and restrictions.
The Federal Air Transport Agency had earlier reported that Russia could launch direct flights to several destinations, including Algeria and South Africa. However, the ministry has highlighted that no Russian carriers are planning to operate flights on these routes.
Russia’s relationship with South Africa
South Africa’s affiliation with Russia is under international scrutiny, as the US accused South Africa of supplying weapons to Russia for its war on Ukraine. US Ambassador Reuben Brigety claims the weapons were loaded onto a Russian ship docked at Naval Base Simon’s Town near Cape Town last year.
Although the matter was under investigation, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has dismissed the claims, saying there was no evidence to support them. Simultaneously, Russia has dismissed claims of reinstating flights to the Southern African nation. The Ministry of Transport said;
“There are currently no plans to operate direct flights between Russia and Malaysia, Russia and South Africa, as well as Russia and Ethiopia by Russian carriers. Between Russia and Ethiopia, flights on the Addis Ababa-Moscow route are operated by Ethiopian Airlines three times a week.”
South Africa has maintained a neutral position on matters regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict. However, the claims by the US ambassador had immediate effects on the country’s economy as the South African Rand (ZAR) dropped by 2.4% against the US Dollar.
Rumored flights to South Africa
Earlier this year, ch-aviation reported that Russia’s Nordwind Airlines could launch direct flights to South Africa. The carrier was expected to operate four weekly flights between Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO) and Johannesburg.
The schedule included one weekly service to Cape Town International Airport (CPT). Nordwind cannot legally fly to South Africa under international aviation safety regulations as it is under US and EU sanctions.
The carrier never applied for the required Foreign Operators Permit, and it has become evident that Russian carriers will not be flying to South Africa soon. Passengers can only connect between the two destinations with carriers like Ethiopian Airlines and Emirates via their hubs.
Flights between Russia and Africa
Although there is no direct service from Russia to South Africa, several airlines operate flights between Russia and Africa. Ethiopian Airlines operates three weekly flights between Addis Ababa International (ADD) and Moscow Domodedovo (DME) on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Direct service between Russia and North Africa is also available. Egyptair operates daily Boeing 737 flights between Cairo International (CAI) and Domodedovo, while Tunisia’s Nouvelair resumed flights to Vnukovo International Airport (VKO) on the Airbus A320.
Russia’s flag carrier Aeroflot will also resume flights to Tunisia. From May 30, it will operate three weekly flights from Moscow to Enfidha on the Airbus A330.
The airline is also working to launch direct flights to Mauritius later this year. Mauritius’ ambassador to Moscow said that the issue is almost closed, but there are several aspects they are still working on before the service can begin.
