Tianjin Airlines Restarts Chongqing–Moscow Flights, Reviving China-Russia Secondary-City Connectivity

Sheremetyevo Airport announced that Tianjin Airlines resumed its Chongqing–Moscow service on 21 July after a 28-month suspension. The carrier will operate two weekly Airbus A330 flights, restoring the only non-stop link between western China’s manufacturing heartland and the Russian capital. The resumption comes amid rebounding bilateral trade—up 16 percent year-on-year—and growing demand for technician rotations supporting Chinese auto and electronics factories in Russia. Chongqing municipal officials said the route shortens cargo transit time for e-commerce exports by three days compared with rail. Mobility managers should note Russia’s recently simplified e-visa process for Chinese nationals and China’s 24-hour visa-free transit for Russian citizens at 31 airports, including Chongqing Jiangbei. However, Western sanctions mean most international insurers have exclusions for Russia; companies are therefore routing expatriates through Chinese policies with Eurasia riders. Sheremetyevo expects the service to generate 20,000 additional passengers in its first year. Introductory round-trip fares start at CNY 4,200 in economy, but peak-season loads could push prices higher once student travel picks up in September.