Russian Airline Operates Charter Flights to Support Return of Koreans and Others

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Due to the impact of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), some flights on the Korea-Russia route have been restricted starting from the 1st, and some Russian airlines are operating charter flights to help Koreans and other foreigners return home.

According to the Russian state news agency TASS on the 1st, S7 Airlines stated, "More than 10,000 passengers have purchased tickets for flights connecting Russia and Korea in March," and they will arrange charter flights to ensure these passengers can return safely.

The Korean Consulate General in Vladivostok posted on its website, "To facilitate the return of our nationals staying in provincial cities, regional routes will temporarily operate, so please take note," and released the schedule of charter flights operated by S7 Airlines.

According to the schedule, S7 Airlines plans to operate charter flights (Novosibirsk?Incheon, Irkutsk?Incheon) until mid-month. S7 Airlines has been operating routes from Vladivostok, Novosibirsk, and Irkutsk until recently.

Far East Yakutia Airlines is also scheduled to operate a charter flight (Yakutsk?Incheon) within this month. Earlier, the Russian government limited flight operation corridors with Korea and Iran to Terminal F at Sheremetyevo Airport north of Moscow, and restricted operating airlines to the Russian state-owned 'Aeroflot', 'Korean Air', and the Iranian private airline 'Mahan Air'.

From the 1st of next month, all foreigners departing from Korea will only be allowed to enter through Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport, and entry through other regions including Vladivostok, the Far East, and Siberia will be prohibited.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.