The Department of Tourism (DOT) officially welcomed the inaugural service of Russia’s IrAero Airlines from Irkutsk to Kalibo International Airport (KLO) on Saturday, October 25, 2025. This historic arrival signifies a major strengthening of air connectivity and tourism cooperation between the Philippines and the Russian Federation, providing a critical new gateway to Boracay Island.
Ninety-five passengers from Irkutsk, located in Russia’s Siberia region, were warmly received at Kalibo International Airport (KLO). The welcoming ceremony featured the traditional water-cannon salute and vibrant cultural performances showcasing the warmth and rich heritage of Aklan and Boracay.
“The arrival of IrAero Airlines marks a significant milestone in our efforts to diversify and expand our key source markets,” said DOT Director Azucena Pallugna. “This direct connection, bringing travelers from Russia straight to the shores of Kalibo and Boracay, reinforces the Philippines’ appeal as a top-tier destination and solidifies our growing tourism partnership with the Russian Federation.”
The Irkutsk–Kalibo service will operate weekly every Saturday until March 2026, including a brief layover in Guilin, China.
Further expanding the connectivity, IrAero Airlines is set to launch a second weekly route, Khabarovsk–Kalibo, on Tuesday, October 28, 2025. This service will operate every Tuesday until March 26, 2026, with technical stops in Blagoveshchensk, Russia and Ningbo, China. Both routes will be served by the Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ100), a modern regional aircraft with a capacity of approximately 100 passengers.
The successful inaugural flight was celebrated by high-ranking officials from both nations, underscoring the diplomatic and economic importance of the route. Welcoming the passengers were:
His Excellency (H.E.) Marat Ignatyevich Pavlov, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Philippines
Artyom Tsinamdzgvrishvili, Trade Commissioner of the Russian Federation in the Philippines
Jose Enrique Miraflores, Governor of Aklan
Juris Sucro, Mayor of Kalibo
Azucena Pallugna, DOT Director
Jennylind Cordero, DOT Western Visayas (DOT-6) Chief Tourism Operations Officer
They were joined by key officials from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), the Bureau of Customs (BOC), the Bureau of Immigration (BI), and the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ).
