Saudi Arabia’s low-cost carrier Flynas will begin operating direct flights between Riyadh and Moscow starting August 1. The new route will connect King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh with Moscow’s Vnukovo International Airport three times a week.
According to a statement from the airline, flights will run on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, providing passengers with a convenient new option for direct air travel between the two capitals.
The announcement follows a July 4 decision by Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsia), which granted Flynas approval to operate regular services between the two cities.
National flag carrier Saudia Airlines has also announced plans to launch flights on the Riyadh–Moscow route beginning in October. Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport has already included Saudia flights in its schedule from October 15 to 25, with five flights per week during that period.
Direct air travel between Russia and Saudi Arabia was suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the easing of travel restrictions, flights had not resumed until now due to low demand from tourists.
However, interest has surged in recent months. In May, the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) reported that Saudi Arabia had entered the top three overseas markets for inbound tourism to Russia for the first time. In Q1 2019, only 210 Saudi citizens visited Russia. In the same period of 2025, that number skyrocketed to 9,900 — a 47-fold increase. Saudi Arabia also topped the list for year-on-year growth in inbound travel to Russia, with a 65.2% jump compared to Q1 2024.
Currently, most Saudi travelers reach Russia via connecting flights through the UAE.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Jan Vašek\Pixabay
Based on TASS materials