It has been revealed that Aeroflot will resume services to the Indian destination of Goa from its operations in Moscow Sheremetyevo & Yekaterinburg.
As per Interfax, the Russian carrier will operate services from the Russian capital first from September 30 on a thrice-weekly basis, using its Airbus A330s.
Then, from October 3, services between Goa and Yekaterinburg will commence on a thrice-weekly basis, but using a Boeing 737-800.
Aeroflot to Goa From Moscow & Yekaterinburg: India A New Market for Russia & Beyond?
Aeroflot already operates service to Delhi from Moscow, but these new services to Goa from Moscow & Yekaterinburg represent a significant expansion into the region.
A question to ask within this, is that for Russia and its neighbours, has India become a new market for them, especially in the wake of sanctions limiting the international destinations it can use?
Earlier this month, Belavia of Belarus commenced services between Minsk and Delhi using its Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.
Initially, the route is set to be operated on a once-weekly basis with the outbound flight departing Minsk’s National Airport (MSQ) on Fridays with the return from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) being operated on Saturdays.
It is expected that from September 20, 2023, there will be a second weekly service operation that will depart Minsk National Airport (MSQ) on Wednesdays with the return flight from Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) being operated on Thursdays.
It ultimately highlights that there is demand for services into the likes of Goa and Delhi, but what will the West make of this?
Would they need to exert pressure on India to impose their own sanctions on the Russian state?
That being said, India and Russia have enjoyed a long history of friendly, mutually beneficial relations, which could be another example into how these services have gone ahead.
But for now, all eyes are on Aeroflot to see how these new services from Moscow & Yekaterinburg to Goa perform.
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