Russia has made specific proposals to the US to resume direct flights. "This is not politics, but pragmatic and necessary for the people," said Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
The diplomat was asked whether direct flights between Russia and the US could be resumed this year. "We have addressed the Americans with this initiative. It is not part of any political agenda. It is pragmatic. This is what the people want", Zakharova said on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF).
As the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson noted, it currently takes about a day to get from Russia to the US, taking into account transfers. She recalled that before, for many years, this route took only 9 hours and “was convenient for everyone“.
“The operators were Russian carriers that performed this function perfectly in cooperation with American companies. Everyone was satisfied. The flights were comfortable, with a high level of service and, you know, generally indicative, like a good brand“, Zakharova emphasized.
According to her, this was “not just for some advertising or self-promotion, but for the convenience of people - both those who traveled from Russia to the US and from the US to Russia, and those who use flights to get from continent to continent“. “The proposal has been made, now we need to work on its implementation,“ Zakharova noted. She added that she still cannot say when direct flights will resume, but "will definitely share if she finds out."
Earlier, Russian Ambassador to the United States Alexander Darchiev statedthat the Russian side has prepared documents for the restoration of air traffic with the United States and they are being discussed.