The Russian Transport Ministry expects the number of flights between Russia and China to significantly increase this year.

According to the ministry, this increase will occur thanks to the lifting of coronavirus restrictions and the restoration of visa-free travel for tourist groups.

Earlier today, RBC reported citing a letter from Deputy Transport Minister Valentin Ivanov, that the ministry expects a reduction in flights between countries by 60-70% compared to 2019 to 0.9-1.2 million passengers.

According to the publication, the reduction in flights may occur due to the lack of "guarantees from Beijing that it will not delay aircraft at the request of third countries (due to Western sanctions), as well as a ban on dual-registration aircraft flying to China (simultaneously in Russia, Bermuda or Ireland).

"In 2023, the Russian Transport Ministry expects a multiple increase in flights to China and the number of passengers transported between Russia and China. This will be facilitated by the lifting of restrictions on crossing the border by the Chinese side, previously introduced due to the coronavirus pandemic, as well as the restoration of the procedure for organizing visa-free trips for groups of tourists," the ministry said in a statement.

The Transport Ministry noted that for flights abroad, Russian airlines have 182 foreign-made aircraft, including long-haul ones, which have no restrictions and legal risks for international flights. "The number of such aircraft continues to increase due to the purchase by Russian airlines of aircraft from foreign owners and their transfer to the national register," the ministry added.