YuSMP Travel Editorial Team
Pobeda Airlines (part of the Aeroflot Group) is launching five new direct flights to the United Arab Emirates between 25 and 27 October 2026: Moscow to Abu Dhabi, plus Dubai routes from Ufa, Yekaterinburg, Kazan and Vladikavkaz. This expands the flight programme Pobeda resumed in September 2026 after a long break: in its first month flying to Dubai, the carrier operated 68 flights and carried over 11,800 passengers with an average load factor of 92.2%. Here are the dates, frequency and what it means for travellers from the regions.
The five new routes Pobeda is launching
According to information published on 13 October 2026 by the industry outlet AEX.RU and the portal Aviapages.ru, citing the Prime news agency and carrier data, Pobeda is adding five new destinations to its existing Dubai programme. First up is Moscow–Abu Dhabi, launching 25 October and running four times a week — Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The same day, 25 October, sees the launch of Ufa–Dubai (Fridays and Sundays). From 26 October, Yekaterinburg–Dubai joins the programme (Mondays and Saturdays), and from 27 October two more routes start: Kazan–Dubai (Tuesdays and Thursdays) and Vladikavkaz–Dubai (Tuesdays and Saturdays). The new schedule runs through the end of the winter season, 27 March 2027.
Context: how Pobeda rebuilt its Dubai service
Pobeda resumed direct flights to Dubai in September 2026 after a break of almost seven months — around the same time, parent company Aeroflot was also expanding its UAE programme, restoring Moscow–Abu Dhabi flights in October. In its first month on the Dubai route, Pobeda operated 68 flights, carried over 11,800 passengers, and posted an average seat load factor of 92.2% — one of the reasons the carrier cites for expanding the programme to five new departure cities instead of Moscow alone.
Who is affected
The main beneficiaries are residents of Ufa, Yekaterinburg, Kazan and Vladikavkaz, who previously had to fly to the UAE via a connection in Moscow or another hub. A direct flight from a regional airport usually cuts travel time and removes the risk of mismatched baggage or schedules between carriers. For travellers from Moscow, the added frequency to Abu Dhabi means more date options and a more flexible schedule compared with the single weekly flight that ran before.
What to do if you're planning a trip
- Check the exact schedule and seat availability on the carrier's own site before buying — frequency by day of the week differs between departure cities.
- Confirm the current UAE entry rules for Russian citizens and document requirements on the UAE destination page.
- If you're connecting through Dubai onward into Asia, see how to make the most of a long layover in UAE as a stopover.
- Compare the price and travel time of the new direct flight against routing through Moscow using the destination match tool — a connecting route can sometimes still work out cheaper.
Summary: Pobeda's new UAE routes
New destinations Pobeda is adding to its schedule between 25 and 27 October 2026
| Route | Flights start | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Moscow–Abu Dhabi | from 25 October 2026 | 4 times a week (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun) |
| Ufa–Dubai | from 25 October 2026 | twice a week (Fri, Sun) |
| Yekaterinburg–Dubai | from 26 October 2026 | twice a week (Mon, Sat) |
| Kazan–Dubai | from 27 October 2026 | twice a week (Tue, Thu) |
| Vladikavkaz–Dubai | from 27 October 2026 | twice a week (Tue, Sat) |
Frequently asked questions
Do Russian citizens need a visa for the UAE?
No, Russian citizens can stay in the UAE visa-free for up to 90 days — the entry stamp is issued on arrival at the airport. Check current conditions and documents on the UAE destination page.
What aircraft does Pobeda fly to the UAE?
Pobeda operates a Boeing 737-800 fleet — narrow-body aircraft it uses on all its domestic and short-to-medium-haul international routes, including flights to Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Can you book tickets on the new routes already?
Yes, at the time of publication sales were open for all five routes on the carrier's own site — check exact fares and seat availability for specific dates there.
Why did Pobeda choose these particular five cities?
The carrier hasn't disclosed a detailed methodology, but according to press comments it based the choice on demand recorded in its first month flying from Moscow to Dubai (92.2% load factor) and on the absence of direct UAE flights from these regional airports with other carriers.
Until when does the new schedule run?
The winter schedule, which includes all five routes, runs through 27 March 2027 — the start of the 2027 summer schedule.
Sources
Schedules and flight frequency may be refined as sales continue — confirm the latest information with the airline before you book.
- AEX.RU, 13 October 2026 — data on the 68 flights in the first month of Dubai service and the five new UAE routes.
- Aviapages.ru, citing the Prime news agency, 13 October 2026 — launch dates and frequency for each of the five routes.
* Schedules, flight frequency and fares are approximate and subject to change. Confirm the latest information with the airline before you travel.
