Flight Approval Granted for Air Travel from Sochi to Gyumri by Russian Aviation Authority
Rosaviatsiya, the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency, has recently issued a series of permits for regular passenger and cargo flights from Russia to international destinations. The most notable of these new connections are daily regular flights to Gyumri, Armenia, and twice-weekly charter flights to Pyongyang, North Korea.
In a significant development, Aeroflot and its subsidiary Rossiya have been given the green light to operate daily flights to Gyumri, Armenia's second-largest city. Rossiya Airlines will be operating daily flights on the route, while Aeroflot can operate daily flights from Mineralnye Vody to Gyumri.
Meanwhile, the charter airline Nordwind has been granted a license to operate twice-weekly flights between Moscow and Pyongyang, starting from July 27, 2025. This new direct route supplements the existing twice-weekly Air Koryo flights between Pyongyang and Vladivostok. The permit reflects the increasing ties between Russia and North Korea.
It's worth noting that there are no indications of newly issued permits for other international destinations or cargo-specific flights in the recent reports. Additionally, Rosaviatsiya has expanded flight restrictions over Middle Eastern airspace due to regional security concerns but has not issued new permits there.
Other approvals include Red Wings' permission for flights from Mineralnye Vody to Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan. Azimuth Airlines has been given the go-ahead to fly from Sochi to Ras Al Khaimah (UAE). Aeroflot has also been granted permission for flights to Giumri, and IrAero has been given air service between Sochi and Sharjah (UAE).
These flights are scheduled to operate five times a week, with the flights departing from Mineralnye Vody. The destinations of the Red Wings flights are Ashgabat, while the flights for Aeroflot, Azimuth Airlines, and IrAero are all bound for Giumri, as stated in the text of the orders.
These new connections promise to strengthen Russia's aviation links with various countries, offering more travel options for passengers and potentially boosting trade relations.
The finance and aviation industries are set to witness growth with the new daily flights by Aeroflot and Rossiya to Gyumri, Armenia, while the charter airline Nordwind will operate twice-weekly flights to Pyongyang, North Korea. Additionally, Red Wings, Azimuth Airlines, Aeroflot, and IrAero have been given permissions for international flights to various destinations including Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Giumri, Armenia, and Sharjah, UAE, indicating a strengthening of Russia's transportation and finance links with multiple countries.
