Syria and Iraq have resumed direct flights to Russia, restoring air links that were suspended amid political upheaval in Damascus and the war in Iran, Russian media reported.
The renewed services come as most Western governments continue to advise their citizens against visiting Syria and large parts of Iraq because of the risk of terrorism, armed conflict and kidnapping.
Syrian Airlines has begun selling tickets for flights between Damascus and Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport, marking the first resumption of direct air travel between the two countries since the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, RTVI reported.
The first flight is scheduled for Aug. 16, with services subsequently operating once a week on Sundays.
The journey will take around four hours and 50 minutes, with economy-class fares starting at about $350.
Iraqi Airways separately resumed flights between Baghdad and Moscow on Tuesday following a suspension prompted by the closure of airspace across parts of the Middle East during the war in Iran. The airline will operate two flights a week.
Iraq’s ambassador to Moscow, Abdul-Karim Hashim Mustafa, said the country was safe for tourists.
“Restaurants are open until 2 a.m. So life is absolutely safe,” he said when asked about the prospects for attracting Russian tourists.
Despite the restoration of air links, the United States, Britain, Germany, France, Canada and Australia continue to warn their citizens against travel to Syria and Iraq, citing terrorism, armed clashes, kidnapping, political instability and limited consular assistance.
Warnings for Syria remain particularly stringent, with Western governments advising against all travel to the country. Large parts of Iraq are also still considered unsafe for visitors.
Read this article in Russian at The Moscow Times' Russian service.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
