Russia's Nordwind plans direct flights to South Africa

 

South Africa has been talking to Russia's Nordwind Airlines (N4, Moscow Sheremetyevo) about launching direct flights between Moscow Sheremetyevo and Johannesburg O.R. Tambo, even though the carrier is subject to US and European sanctions invoked due to Russia's war on Ukraine, meaning it cannot legally fly to South Africa under international aviation safety regulations.

South Africa's ambassador to Russia, Mzuvukile Jeff Maqetuka, told the Russian state-owned newswire Sputnik that Pretoria was waiting for the airline's decision. The aim is to launch four non-stop flights a week, including one weekly to Cape Town, to boost Russian tourism, Maqetuka said.

"Our transport department discussed Aeroflot flights with the Russian transport ministry, then we were informed that it had been decided that it would be Nordwind," he said.

Nordwind's management did not respond to numerous emailed requests for confirmation. Still, on phoning, a company employee in Moscow confirmed that flights to South Africa were in the pipeline but could give no further details.

South Africa's International Air Services Council confirmed to ch-aviation that it had not yet received an application for a foreign operator's permit (FOP) from Nordwind.

Plans to establish direct flights to South Africa before the 2023 Russia-Africa summit in St. Peterburg in late July were also disclosed by Oleg Ozerov, Russia's ambassador-at-large and head of the Russia-Africa partnership forum, Sputnik and fellow Russian news agency TASS both reported.

South Africa and Russia have maintained close diplomatic relations based on the historical ties between the Soviet Union and South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC). Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held talks with his South African counterpart Naledi Pandor in Pretoria this week about increased bilateral cooperation. Joint Russian, South African, and Chinese naval exercises are scheduled to take place in February off South Africa's East Coast, controversially coinciding with the first anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
CH Aviation