On 1 October 2026, Aeroflot resumed daily direct flights on the Moscow–Abu Dhabi route after an almost seven-month suspension. The first flight back, SU530, departed from Sheremetyevo nearly fully booked. For travellers planning a trip to the UAE, this adds another direct option alongside the Dubai and Abu Dhabi flights already run by other carriers.
What resumed on 1 October
Aeroflot is again flying daily from Moscow to Abu Dhabi on narrow-body Boeing 737-800 aircraft in two classes — business and economy. The direct flight takes about 5 hours 48 minutes. Tickets are already on sale, with fares for the 1 October flight starting from roughly 47,800 roubles — a starting-sale reference point, not a fixed price: fares vary by date and cabin class.
Why the route was suspended for almost seven months
Aeroflot's flights on this route were suspended in early March 2026 after the region's airspace closed amid the US and Israeli military action against Iran. The pause affected more than just Aeroflot: air links with several Gulf countries were unstable across carriers for the whole period. Resuming a regular schedule from 1 October signals that the region's airspace is again considered safe for civil aviation on this route.
The route before and after the pause
Moscow–Abu Dhabi flight: before and after
| Parameter | Before March 2026 | From 1 October 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Route status | operating | resumed |
| Frequency | daily | daily |
| Aircraft | Boeing 737-800 | Boeing 737-800 |
| Flight time | ≈5h 48m | ≈5h 48m |
| Ticket sales | — | open, from ~47,800 RUB* |
What it means if you're planning a trip to the UAE
The return of Aeroflot's direct flight widens the choice for those flying straight to Abu Dhabi rather than via a third country, and it can also work as a layover option for a long connection — see our guide on making the most of a UAE stopover. Check current schedules and fares for this and other routes to the region in our Airlines section, or compare the UAE with other warm-season destinations in the destination catalog.
Tour operators quoted alongside the relaunch note that the route gives travellers more flexibility with dates, since existing flights on other carriers are often spread thin across connecting itineraries. For a quick refresher on what to expect once you land, Abu Dhabi accepts major international cards widely, and airport transfers run around the clock — still, it's worth confirming current entry rules and any transit requirements on the UAE's official immigration resources before you fly, since conditions can change between booking and departure.
Sources
- Vedomosti, "Aeroflot resumes regular flights from Moscow to Abu Dhabi" — 1 October 2026
- Tourdom.ru, "Aeroflot resumes Moscow–Abu Dhabi flights after a 7-month break" — 1 October 2026
* Fares and schedules change — check the current price and conditions on the airline's website before buying a ticket.
