Flight time: Russia and Malaysia may launch direct flights this year

Direct flights between Russia and Malaysia may resume in 2025, Russian Minister Valery Falkov, co-chairman of the intergovernmental commission of the two countries, told Izvestia. Moscow and Kuala Lumpur have managed to resolve all the problematic issues, confirmed Johari Abdul Ghani, who is responsible for relations with the Russian Federation at the level of the Malaysian government. According to the head of the Ministry of Energy Maxim Reshetnikov, it was, in particular, about guarantees of safety of the sides due to Western sanctions.

Direct flights to Malaysia

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim arrived in Russia this week. On May 14, he was received in the Kremlin by Vladimir Putin. A wide range of topics were on the agenda of the talks, including the expansion of tourist ties and the restoration of direct flights. According to Valery Falkov, co-chairman of the Russian-Malaysian intergovernmental commission and Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, the parties may launch direct flights as early as this year.

"It is possible to expect," he told Izvestia, answering the relevant question.

The Malaysian side confirmed that Kuala Lumpur expects to launch direct flights in the foreseeable future.

"We're ready." We are waiting for the Russian Aeroflot to arrive, and we will fly together. There are no more (restrictions. — Izvestia). I think everything has been decided," Johari Abdul Ghani, Minister of Plantations and Raw Materials, who was appointed by the country's leadership to be responsible for coordinating and developing relations with Moscow, told Izvestia.

The parties managed to resolve the main difficulties that were caused by Western sanctions.

— The main thing is that the leaders have confirmed that we will restore everything. The Malaysian side confirmed it because it depended on them. There were a number of such issues, including guarantees for non-retention, refueling, and so on. Therefore, now the Ministry of Transport will agree (on the launch. — Izvestia), — Maxim Reshetnikov, the head of the Ministry of Energy, told Izvestia.

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After the start of the SVR, Western countries imposed large-scale restrictions against the Russian aviation industry. The US Department of Commerce has repeatedly expanded the list of aircraft from the sanctions list. It also hit the boards, including those of Russian mainline airlines.

Against this background, the Federal Air Transport Agency previously recommended that airlines not use the planes of the State Transport Leasing Company, which is under sanctions, for flights abroad due to the risk of their arrest. In particular, in January 2024, the Federal Air Transport Agency asked Aeroflot and Russia not to fly on 27 Boeing and Airbus aircraft to Egypt.

— After a significant part of the Russian aircraft was transferred to our legal entities, the risk of arrest of these aircraft disappeared. Such aircraft, relatively risk—free, are now sufficient to operate flights on the international route network, including when it comes to using long-haul airliners," aviation expert Oleg Panteleev explained in a conversation with Izvestia.

Izvestia sent a request to Aeroflot with a request to clarify the possible launch dates for flights.

The pros and cons of tourism in Malaysia

The advent of direct flights will significantly increase the flow of tourists between the parties, says Johari Abdul Ghani. In the first quarter of this year, 50 thousand Russian tourists visited Malaysia, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said. In 2024, the tourist flow from Russia to this country set another record — almost 131 thousand people. At the same time, the travel time, taking into account the transfer, is about 18 hours. Tickets cost about 50-60 thousand rubles per person in both directions with luggage.

Russians currently have a visa-free period of up to 30 days for travel to Malaysia. Meanwhile, its citizens must apply for an electronic visa to enter the Russian Federation. However, a bilateral visa-free agreement is also on the agenda of Moscow and Kuala Lumpur: this issue is being discussed through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, says Maxim Reshetnikov. Thus, the number of Malaysians interested in traveling to Russia may increase.

"There is a draft agreement with Malaysia — there will be visa—free travel in a number of positions," he said.

The agreement was already ready, but at some point the Malaysian side slowed down with its approval. Moscow is now trying to speed up this process, the minister concluded.

Malaysia is a country in Southeast Asia where Islam has the status of a state religion. In terms of tourist traffic, it is still inferior to countries such as Thailand or Indonesia. Nevertheless, the authorities are trying to survive in a difficult struggle to attract foreign visitors. For example, Prasarana Malaysia Berhad, a public transport company, previously introduced the unlimited MyTourist Pass.

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In January 2025, the large-scale advertising campaign Visit Malaysia 2026 was officially launched. The country wants to receive 45 million foreign visitors in 2025. Malaysia has declared 2026 the Year of Tourism. The authorities have repeatedly stressed that tourism is an important source of income for the country's economy.

— Malaysia is a universal destination for tourism. This country is suitable for both beach lovers and those who want to explore cities and natural parks. The country is medium—sized, and therefore you can visit several places at once in one trip," Anna Laru, a tourist from Russia who traveled to Malaysia on vacation, tells Izvestia.

According to her, Malaysia leaves pleasant impressions thanks to the hospitality of the locals.

— Residents constantly ask foreigners if they need any help, without demanding any payment. In this, for example, they differ for the better from the inhabitants of Sri Lanka. There was a case when locals took us to a bus stop on a motorcycle, because we would not have had time on foot, and there was no Internet connection to call a taxi. And although we offered money, they refused," she added.

On the other hand, of course, there are disadvantages. First of all, there are many drug addicts in the country. And if a person does not notice this during the day, the situation is different at night, the Russian woman summarizes.

According to official statistics, more than half of prisoners in Malaysia are behind bars due to drug-related crimes. There are about 10,000 patients in the drug rehabilitation center, and about 7,000 are undergoing rehabilitation in the community.

At the same time, the overall street crime rate in Malaysia is low. However, in major cities, including Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru, there is still a risk of pickpocketing and fraud.