Russia and Nepal could establish direct air travel links in the future following a steady rise in Russian tourists visiting the Himalayan nation, according to Moscow's envoy in Kathmandu.
Alexei Surovtsev, the Russian Ambassador to Nepal, told state news agency TASS that diplomatic representatives are seeking to negotiate seasonal charter flights with commercial airlines to accommodate increasing passenger numbers.
Latest figures indicate that 2,600 Russian travellers visited Nepal in April 2026, following 1,600 arrivals in March and 1,500 in May. Passenger numbers subsequently dropped to 629 in June and 467 in July, though overall travel volume has continued to grow throughout the year.
Persuading airlines on seasonal charters
Surovtsev stated that he aims to persuade airline carriers to launch direct charter flights during the spring and autumn periods, provided that the upward trajectory in tourist traffic is maintained.
More than 15,000 Russians visited Nepal across 2025. Direct air connections between Russia and Nepal currently do not operate on a regular scheduled basis, requiring travellers to connect through third countries in the Middle East or Asia.
Popular destination for mountain tourism
Nepal, a landlocked South Asian nation situated in the Himalayas between India and China, is globally renowned for mountain climbing and trekking. Capital city Kathmandu acts as the main transport hub for international visitors, including mountaineers attempting Mount Everest and other major Himalayan peaks.
The country experiences its primary tourism seasons during the spring months of March to May and the autumn period from September to November, when stable weather conditions favor mountain expeditions.
Emergency rescue on Mount Elbrus
In a separate report published by Russian media, emergency services announced that members of the Elbrus High-Altitude Search and Rescue Team of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations successfully located a group of tourists who went missing on Mount Elbrus during severe weather.
Mount Elbrus, located in the Caucasus mountain range in southern Russia, is the highest peak in Europe and attracts thousands of mountaineers annually, requiring specialized high-altitude rescue units to manage emergencies caused by sudden storms.
