Mumbai-St. Petersburg Direct Flights Planned

Maharashtra Tourism is working to enhance tourism cooperation with Russia, focusing on St. Petersburg to increase international visitor arrivals.

A meeting was held on Friday between officials from Maharashtra's Directorate of Tourism and the Consulate General of the Russian Federation to discuss bilateral tourism cooperation.

The proposal to launch direct air service connecting Mumbai with St. Petersburg was at the heart of the discussion. Currently, travelers rely on connecting flights via Middle Eastern or regional hubs.

A point-to-point air corridor would cut travel times and unlock new avenues for trade, investment, and hospitality sector development.

Russian officials noted a shift in Russian outbound travel preferences toward Asian destinations and pitched St. Petersburg as a prime cultural gateway for Indian travelers.

In turn, Russian officials identified India, and Maharashtra in particular, as a strategic growth market for incoming Russian tourists.

A high-level delegation from St. Petersburg will visit Mumbai in September 2026 to host a destination showcase for Indian tour operators.

The meeting also laid the groundwork for celebrating 60 years of the Mumbai-St. Petersburg sister city partnership.

Maharashtra's tourism director, Mangesh Joshi, said the state is committed to expanding global tourism partnerships through Government-to-Government engagement.

The proposed direct flights and tourism cooperation are expected to boost bilateral tourism and trade between Maharashtra and Russia.

This development is part of a larger effort to capitalize on shifting global travel trends and expand international visitor arrivals in Maharashtra.

The state's tourism department is working to promote Maharashtra as a diverse heritage, coastal, and leisure destination for incoming tourists.

With the proposed direct flights, travelers from Russia and India can look forward to easier and faster travel between the two countries.

This move is expected to have a positive impact on the tourism industry in both Maharashtra and Russia, leading to increased economic growth and cultural exchange.

The celebration of 60 years of the Mumbai-St. Petersburg sister city partnership will also help to strengthen ties between the two cities and promote people-to-people diplomacy.

Overall, the proposed direct flights and tourism cooperation between Maharashtra and Russia are a significant step forward in promoting bilateral tourism and trade, and are expected to have a positive impact on the economies and cultures of both regions.