Saudi Arabian airline Flynas expects to carry primarily tourists on flights to Russia, with the carrier planning to increase frequencies to several Russian regions, CEO Bandar Abdulrahman Al-Mohanna said at a ceremony welcoming the first flight between Riyadh and Moscow, Interfax reported on August 1.

The flights will operate three times weekly initially, with the main target audience being tourists from Saudi Arabia and Russia, particularly those interested in destinations such as Al-Ula and the Red Sea, according to Al-Mohanna.

The airline CEO noted that about 25mn Muslims live in Russia, suggesting direct flights to Jeddah and Medina may be opened, with cooperation planned between all parties in Russia and Saudi Arabia to resolve this matter.

Regular flights between Russia and Saudi Arabia were launched for the first time on Friday when Flynas operated its inaugural Moscow service.

Moscow tourism officials reported a 5.7-fold increase in Saudi visitors in 2024 compared to 2023, reaching 52,400 guests, with Deputy Chairman of the Moscow Tourism Committee Bulat Nurmukhanov stating that new direct flights will make Moscow more accessible to Saudi tourists.

The Centre for Strategic Research plans to conduct trips for Saudi tour operators to demonstrate tourism potential in the capital and other regions, with a business mission to Saudi Arabia and participation in an international tourism exhibition planned for 2026.

Saudi tourist numbers increased 24-fold in 2024 compared to 2022, with the CSR citing regular flights and visa-free regimes as preconditions for multiple increases in mutual tourist flows.

Flynas operates flights to 70 destinations as one of the leading Middle Eastern carriers, using Airbus A320neo aircraft for Moscow-Riyadh services.

The airline plans flights from Jeddah to Moscow from September 2 to October 25 operating three times weekly, whilst another Saudi carrier, Saudia, reportedly plans direct Riyadh-Moscow flights beginning October 10.