Russia has barred El Al from flying to St. Petersburg because Aeroflot was denied access to Israel
Russian aviation authorities denied Israeli airline El Al permission to operate flights from Tel Aviv to St. Petersburg. This was reported by Israel’s “Channel 12.”
According to the TV channel, Moscow’s decision was in response to Israel’s refusal to allow Russia’s Aeroflot to resume flights to Israel. “Channel 12” believes that Russia is attempting to put pressure on Israel in this way.
El Al had planned to launch flights to St. Petersburg as an alternative to flights to Moscow, which were canceled due to drone attacks. The Israeli carrier does not operate flights to other Russian cities.
Aeroflot’s flights to Israel were suspended back in 2022. Currently, direct air service between the countries is provided by the Russian airlines Red Wings and Azimut, which fly from Moscow, Sochi, Krasnodar, and Mineralnye Vody.
El Al suspended flights to Moscow at the end of June 2026 following Ukrainian strikes on the Russian capital. This route is not expected to resume at this time. The Israeli airline has not flown to St. Petersburg since 2014.
Source: Channel 12.
Ukraine has officially notified the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) that Russian airspace is unsafe. The notification followed repeated strikes by Ukrainian drones on Russian territory.
Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsiya) issued a NOTAM stating that all documents published by Ukraine regarding the danger of flying in Russian airspace have no legal force.
