The Philippines is poised to capture a larger share of the Russian tourism market in Southeast Asia as several Russian airlines seek regulatory approval to establish direct flights to the country’s premier tropical destinations.
Philippine Ambassador to Russia Igor Garlit Bailen shared the updates during an interview with Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro in Kazan, Russia. Both officials are currently attending the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit alongside President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
According to Ambassador Bailen, Russian travelers have shown strong interest in world-renowned Philippine destinations such as Boracay and El Nido. To meet this growing demand, Russian carrier S7 Airlines (Siberian Airlines) has submitted applications to the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) of the Philippines to resume operations.
“This year, we are just waiting for developments from the Civil Aeronautics Board of the Philippines because S7 Airlines has applied to fly again from Siberia—specifically from the cities of Irkutsk, Vladivostok, and Khabarovsk—to Manila and Cebu,” Ambassador Bailen stated.
This move follows the successful launch of chartered flights last year by Russian airline IrAero, which connected Irkutsk and Khabarovsk in the Russian Far East directly to Kalibo, Aklan (the gateway to Boracay).
The push for direct air connectivity is part of the Philippines’ strategic initiative to diversify its tourism portfolio by tap-dancing into non-traditional markets, expanding beyond its traditional tourist hubs of China, South Korea, and the United States. Ambassador Bailen emphasized that Russian tourists are highly valued for their high spending power and extended holiday stays, making them a lucrative market for the Philippine economy.
“We are continuing to develop this because tourism is a very important part of our economic relationship,” Bailen added. “There is great potential here, alongside our traditional economic exchanges in exports, oil, energy, and food imports.”
While Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam currently stand as the top destinations for Russian travelers within the ASEAN region, the Philippine government is optimistic that expanding direct flight routes will significantly boost its competitive edge, drive economic growth, and foster stronger people-to-people exchanges between the two nations.
