Russia will lift all restrictions on flights to Mexico and a number of other countries from December 1, 2021. This was reported by the Russian Operational Headquarters to combat coronavirus.
“Taking into account the epidemiological situation in individual states, a decision was made to lift restrictions on regular and non-scheduled flights between Russia and Cuba, Mexico, Qatar from December 1, 2021,” the Operational Headquarters said in a statement following a meeting with the participation of Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova.
The lifting of flight restrictions means that Russian airlines have the right to operate more flights to Mexico, including from Russian regions. Now the Operational Headquarters allows 3 flights a week to fly to Mexico and only from Moscow. These frequencies are distributed between two airlines: Azur Air (tour operator Anex Tour) flies to Mexican Cancun 2 times a week, Nordwind (Pegas Touistik) — 3 times a month. From November 18, Aeroflot begins flying from Moscow to Cancun, Mexico, operating 3 flights a week, and it is unclear how this fits in with the decision of the Operational Headquarters to lift flight restrictions only from December 1.
A number of Russian airlines previously received permission from the Federal Air Transport Agency to fly to Cancun from Russian regions. These are the same Azur Air and Nordwind, as well as Royal Flight (tour operator Coral Travel) and Pegas Fly (Pegas Touistik). The list of regional airports includes St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Perm, Samara, Rostov, Kazan and others. Nordwind also has permission to fly from Moscow to Mexico City. Acquiring clearances does not mean that airlines will begin flying these routes. At least, none of them have yet announced plans to fly to Mexico from Russian regions. But given the high demand for holidays at the resorts of the Caribbean coast of Mexico, expanding the geography of flights also cannot be ruled out.
Mexico remains open to visitors from all countries, with the simplest entry criteria. As a visa requirement, Russians only need to apply for a free electronic permit. A vaccination certificate or coronavirus test is not required for entry, and filling out a health form before the flight is not difficult.
Demand for holidays in Mexico traditionally grows in winter. For this reason, we may see an increase in the number of flights from Russia to Mexico in the coming months. Experts on the state market also expect a reduction in prices for flights to Mexico and the cost of tours to this country.