Russia’s Transport Ministry considers the possibility of attracting foreign airlines from friendly countries to perform flights between Russia and Brazil with fifth freedom rights, a source in the ministry told TASS.

Fifth freedom rights allow an airline to fly between foreign countries if the flight starts or ends in its home country.

"The possibility of attracting foreign airlines of friendly countries to perform flights between Russia and Brazil with fifth freedom rights is under consideration," the ministry said.

Meanwhile, it is impossible to resume flights with Brazil by Russian air carriers now due to the lack of aircraft able to perform a direct flight in their fleet, the source noted. However, if any proposals by Brazilian airlines to open direct flights with Russia are received the ministry is ready to develop respective permissions.

Russian Transport Minister Roman Starovoit said in an interview with TASS earlier that the ministry was negotiating the launch of direct flights with Brazil, Malaysia, and Pakistan.