In September 2023, four European airlines continue to utilize Russian airspace and offer flights to Russian destinations. These carriers and their country of origin are Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines (Turkey), Air Serbia(Serbia), and Belavia (Belarus).

In 2023 and continuing into February 2026, international flight options to Russia remain restricted due to sanctions, though several major non-Western carriers maintain robust service. Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines are the primary gateways, offering numerous daily connections via Istanbul and Antalya. Middle Eastern carriers like Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, and flydubai provide high-frequency flights to Moscow and St. Petersburg, serving as vital transit hubs for travelers from Europe and Asia. From the East, Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern have expanded their routes, while Air India also maintains direct flights. Within the CIS region, airlines like Belavia (Belarus), Uzbekistan Airways, and Air Astana (Kazakhstan) continue to operate regularly. Domestically, Russian carriers like Aeroflot, S7 Airlines, and Utair are fully operational but face challenges with international parts and insurance. While Western airlines from the EU, US, and UK are completely barred from Russian airspace, these international hubs ensure that Russia is not entirely isolated from the global aviation network.