El Al removed Moscow until spring 2027: passengers will be sent via Baku

El Al removed Moscow from the schedule until March 25, 2027, and suggested passengers travel via Baku. The attempt to replace Moscow with St. Petersburg has also not yielded results yet.

Author: Pavel Shveiko

El Al extended the suspension of direct flights Tel Aviv — Moscow until March 25, 2027. This means that Israel’s national carrier will not return to the Moscow route for the entire winter season, and passengers who still need to get to the Russian capital are offered a route via Baku.

What El Al offered passengers

The company informed travel agents that the decision is related to the security situation in Russia and recent aviation events. El Al stopped flights to Moscow on June 25. Initially, it was a matter of a few days, then the pause was extended, and now it has stretched until next spring.

Passengers of canceled flights can choose one of four options: exchange the ticket for a direct El Al or Sun D’Or flight to a European city, arrange the route Tel Aviv — Baku — Moscow, receive a voucher or a full refund. On the Baku — Moscow segment, the carrier will be Azerbaijan Airlines. For the new flight, a transfer within three days before or after the original date is allowed without penalty and additional fare difference.

It didn’t work out with St. Petersburg either

The attempt to replace Moscow with St. Petersburg has not worked yet. El Al wanted to open a direct route Tel Aviv — St. Petersburg, but did not receive a positive decision from the Russian aviation authorities.

We have already discussed this story in the article “Russia blocked El Al for the sake of Aeroflot”. Israeli media reported, citing their sources, that Moscow may link permission for El Al with the return of Aeroflot to Israel. Russian authorities have not officially confirmed such a connection, so it remains a version, not an established fact.

On August 30, the Leningrad region was subjected to a major drone attack, and Pulkovo Airport temporarily stopped receiving and sending planes. St. Petersburg, which was considered a calmer alternative to Moscow, also came under the influence of the war.

What now with Israel — Russia flights

Direct air communication between Israel and Russia has not been completely stopped: flights continue to be operated by Red Wings and Azimuth. But El Al is not planning to return to Moscow yet.

NANews — News of Israel previously detailed how Ukrainian drones and the “Kover” regime disrupt the operation of Russian airports.

The next review date is March 25, 2027. If the situation in Russian airspace does not become more stable, El Al may reconsider the return date again.