KOSTAAIR Journal
Travel and aviation news, destination openings and the context that shapes a trip.
The new KOSTAAIR: where the journey begins
Every journey begins long before the airport. First comes an idea, then dozens of open tabs — tickets, hotels, visa rules, routes, reviews, tips, articles. Sometimes preparing for a trip feels like a journey of its own. That's why I decided to grow KOSTAAIR into more than a travel site. My goal is a travel ecosystem where everything that helps you travel lives in one place: travel and aviation news, the countries of the world, visa rules, routes, useful services and modern AI tools. The first big step in that direction was the launch of KOSTAAIR AI — not just a chat on the site, but an assistant that already helps find trip ideas, build routes and answer the questions that come up before a trip. At the same time KOSTAAIR stays a very personal project: my photos, videos, impressions and routes will keep appearing here, because sometimes one real story or a chance photo inspires a trip more than any brochure. I want KOSTAAIR to be not just a source of information but a place you visit for inspiration, ideas and plans for your next journey. Today is one more big step in that direction. Welcome to the new KOSTAAIR — the place where the journey begins.
Summer starts tomorrow. Where travelers are actually heading in 2026
June 1 — and we're off. Summer 2026 is already here. Turkey is back on top. Antalya, direct flights, all inclusive — the familiar formula that still works. Egypt is close: Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada, warm sea, manageable prices. Vietnam is the main "discovery" for many travelers. Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, cheaper than neighbors, worth exploring. Russia is not standing still either: Altai, Baikal, Karelia, the Caucasus, Kamchatka, the Far East. Krasnodar and Crimea — as always. One trend I notice: fewer people buy a package with a guide; more assemble flight + hotel on their own. That's my approach — and it suits me better. Interest is also growing in less obvious routes: glamping, parks, places without Instagram crowds. Summer is hours away. Not "someday." Specific dates. A specific ticket. That's how I ended up in Shanghai — and I don't regret it. Check your calendar. Maybe it's time.
Aeroflot resumes UAE flights from 1 June 2026
Good news for fans of the UAE: Aeroflot has announced the resumption of regular flights between Moscow and Dubai from 1 June 2026, and tickets are already on sale. Through June flights will operate once daily, rising to two a day from 1 July, using Boeing 737 aircraft with economy and business cabins. The resumption became possible after the situation in the Middle East stabilised and some earlier restrictions were lifted; Russian carriers had temporarily suspended flights to several countries in the region due to airspace limits. The UAE remains one of the most popular destinations for Russian tourists thanks to its year-round warm climate, high service standards, modern resorts and easy visa-free entry. Travellers are advised to book tickets and hotels in advance, as demand for Dubai traditionally rises with the summer season.
Russia and Saudi Arabia launch visa-free travel from 11 May 2026
Russia and Saudi Arabia have agreed to mutually waive visas for short trips by citizens of both countries. The visa-free regime takes effect on 11 May 2026 and applies to holders of ordinary international passports. Under the agreement, Russian and Saudi citizens can enter without a visa for tourism, business trips, or private visits to relatives and friends. Stay limits: up to 90 days per trip and no more than 90 days within any 180-day period; multiple entries are allowed within that limit. Entry rules: a passport valid for at least 6 months, proof of a return ticket (may be requested at the border), a hotel booking or address of stay, and travel insurance (recommended, sometimes required by the carrier). Visa-free entry does not grant the right to work, long-term study, or permanent residence. The agreement is expected to boost tourist flows and expand air links between the two countries.
Russia–China: more flights, no visa needed
Flying to China in 2026 has become easier — and I can feel it in my own tickets. Visa-free stays of up to 30 days are already in place: Moscow to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hainan, plus flights from the regions, especially the Far East. No need to build connections through third countries if you live closer to the border. Why more flights? People are flying. China is back on top — both as a destination and as a hub onward into Asia, and airlines are adding frequency. What it means for you: more dates to choose from, sometimes a reasonable price without the hassle, and the option to take off for a weekend instead of waiting for the 'dream trip' six months out. If China has been on your mind, now is not a bad time to check fares — at least take a look.
Aeroflot pulled UAE from sale until end of May. What to do?
You open booking — and Dubai is gone. Aeroflot has suspended sales to the UAE until the end of May 2026. No need to panic, but it's not 'nothing changed' either. If you've already bought a tour, watch for notifications — routes may be rerouted, dates shifted, the airline swapped. Unpleasant, but that's how the market works right now. If you're only planning, be ready for connections: Istanbul, Tashkent, Almaty, sometimes two stops instead of one. Travel time +3–8 hours is reality, not a scare story. My simple advice: a refundable fare, a hotel with free cancellation, insurance. Boring? You'll sleep better. By summer sales will likely return — but I'm no fortune teller. Watch the schedule and don't cling to a single option. The UAE hasn't gone anywhere as a destination; the road there is just a bit harder right now. That's not a reason to cancel the dream — it's a reason to plan smarter.
Flights are longer and pricier. What to do?
If you're flying in summer 2026, don't delay your tickets. Some routes have already been lengthened, and prices on certain destinations may rise 10–20% — not everywhere, but noticeably. Planes are flying around some zones: more fuel, longer in the air, costlier for the airline — and ultimately for you. What I do myself: book earlier, choose a fare with rebooking options, and watch connections carefully — miss one by an hour and you lose a whole day at the airport. Nobody is forcing mass cancellations; flights are operating. The market has simply become less predictable. My message is the same: you only live once. If a trip matters, don't wait for it to 'get cheaper and easier' — sometimes it won't. The memories will stay.
Aeroflot turns 103 — up to 50% off. Two days only
On 17–18 March 2026 Aeroflot is marking its birthday with a sale: up to 50% off economy — Light, Optimum, Budget (China and Kyrgyzstan). You can fly from 18 March to 7 October, covering spring, summer and early autumn. The one catch: the sale is short — two days, then regular prices. Summer sells out fast, especially June–July, and I wouldn't wait for 'it'll get cheaper.' People really do buy on Aeroflot's birthday — proven more than once. If your dates are roughly clear, prep your route in advance; on launch day just hit 'buy' rather than Googling 'where should I go.' A good reason to pin 'someday' to actual dates on the calendar.
🚆 Russia and China are linked by train again
🚆 Great news, especially for residents of Eastern Siberia and Transbaikalia: after a six-year break, passenger rail service between Russia and China has resumed. The first train departed on 8 March on the Zabaikalsk — Manzhouli route. Service had been suspended in 2020 due to the pandemic. The train will run year-round twice a week, on Wednesdays and Sundays, crossing the border via Zabaikalsk (Russia) and Manzhouli in northeastern China. Through-cars from Irkutsk and Chita have also been launched, letting travellers reach China directly without changes. Travel time from Irkutsk is about 1 day and 13 hours. The return of rail travel should increase tourist flows — the train is one of the simplest ways to cross the border in the Far East. ✈️ For travellers it's another alternative to flying, especially for combined routes across Siberia and northeastern China.
Shanghai opens its big cherry blossom festival
Spring in Asia is cherry-blossom season. Many think of Japan first, but you can see thousands of pink trees elsewhere too. On 9 March, Shanghai's big cherry blossom festival opened and runs for almost a month, until early April. The main venue is Gucun Park (顾村公园), with more than 16,000 cherry trees that turn the park into a vast pink garden during the bloom — avenues drown in flowers and form long tunnels of petals, one of the most photogenic spots of the city's spring. The festival is more than strolls under the blossoms: food courts, concerts, an evening fair, and even a robot carnival, with special lighting after dark. 🎟 Park entry is about 20 yuan (~230 ₽). It's outside the city centre but easy to reach by metro to Gucun Park station. Blossoms also appear at North Bund, Lu Xun Park, Century Park and the botanical gardens. So if you've dreamed of seeing cherry blossom, you don't have to go to Japan — in spring Shanghai becomes a city of flowering gardens. 🌸✈️
The Middle East is tricky now. Where to go instead
Some Middle East flights have been cut. Emirates, Etihad, Qatar — not everything flies as before, and the usual connections through the region have become unreliable. You don't have to cancel your holiday — just move the pin on the map. Egypt still works: Sharm, Hurghada, a warm sea year-round. Turkey is the classic: all-inclusive, direct flights, a familiar format. Thailand if you want the tropics. Vietnam is gaining momentum — Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, softer prices than its neighbours. I don't believe in the 'perfect destination.' There's a destination that fits your budget, dates and mood. The map keeps changing, and so can plans. The key is not to put life on hold until 'everything settles' — it never fully does.
Happy Spring Holiday
Happy holiday to all women 🌷 I wish you the simple, important things: enough sleep, loving and being loved, finding time for yourself without guilt — and more moments in life worth remembering.
Chinese New Year: why it's best not to visit China now, even in transit
Chinese New Year sounds like a traveller's dream: red lanterns, festivals, fireworks and vivid traditions. In practice it's one of the worst times to visit China — especially for ordinary tourism or a transit connection. It's the time of giant crowds: the holiday brings Chunyun, the largest human migration on earth, as hundreds of millions head home and back. The result — packed stations and airports, sold-out train and plane tickets, constant queues and delays. It's also expensive and inconvenient: hotels jump several times in price, budget options nearly vanish, even taxis and domestic flights cost more, and many cafes and shops simply close as staff leave. Tourist sites are mobbed by domestic travellers — the Great Wall, museums and parks turn into solid queues. Even transit is rough: huge security lines, overloaded terminals and frequent delays can turn a short layover into hours of stress. Better months are March–May and September–November: fewer people, lower prices, steadier transport. Chinese New Year is a stunning cultural event but a poor time to be a tourist — sometimes the best way to enjoy a festival is from afar.
Nihao China: finally proper QR payments in China
In China, without a QR code you're as stuck as without a phone — 86% of payments go through WeChat Pay and Alipay, while cash and cards are rare. Nihao China solves the tourist's pain: link a UnionPay card and pay by QR like a local — metro, bus, shop — with no wallet top-ups and no app commission. If your card isn't in yuan, conversion is at the bank rate. Registration is by phone number; for now it's Chinese and English, with Russian and an AI assistant promised. It's a simplified version of UnionPay's 云闪付, and also covers taxis and more. Download from the App Store or Google Play. Every time I'm in Shanghai I'm reminded: without proper payments the city is half-closed. Nihao is a step in the right direction — especially if you travel independently rather than with a tour operator.
Fresh notes from the road: what's new on KOSTAAIR
Hi, friends! On KOSTAAIR I post the freshest things from my trips: short reports from the road, lifehacks, finds on tickets and lodging, and answers to your questions. These are quick notes that complement the bigger pieces on the site — routes, visa updates and personal experience without the fluff. Follow the 'My news' section and the email subscription so you don't miss anything important.
Russia and Myanmar launch visa-free travel
No more visas — mutual visa-free travel took effect on 27 January 2026. From that date, citizens of Russia and the Republic of the Union of Myanmar can travel without a visa, using an ordinary international passport. ✈️ Russians and Myanmar nationals may stay up to 30 consecutive days per visit without a visa, and no more than 90 days total within a calendar year. 📍 Worth knowing: visa-free entry covers tourism, private visits and short-term business contacts only. Work, study or permanent residence still require visas. The agreement was signed on 28 October 2025 in Minsk by the foreign ministers of Russia and Myanmar.
AirAsia Pass: a win for some, a trap for others
Heard about the AirAsia 'single ticket' and dream of crossing Asia for pennies? Stop — let's look at it without the marketing foam. The AirAsia Pass isn't unlimited. You buy a pack of credits (1, 2, 4, 6 or 10); each credit = one segment, which you then redeem for flights. The plus: you lock part of your budget in advance, which can save you from price spikes in high season — if the route is already in your head. The downsides are heavy: credits don't cover airport taxes (sometimes the tax ≈ the fare); carry-on only, so a checked bag on every leg eats the savings; flexibility is a myth — a date change means a surcharge that grows closer to departure; the hubs are Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok, so a route that bypasses them makes the Pass pointless; and on popular dates Pass seats may not be available. Who it suits: a firm plan for 4–5 cities, one backpack, high season, and willingness to live by a schedule. Who it doesn't: 'I'll arrive and see,' suitcases, spontaneous stays. The method is simple — sketch the route with dates, add up Pass + taxes + bags, compare with regular tickets on the same flights, and decide coldly. Often a normal AirAsia sale plus a good search engine costs about the same but with freedom. The Pass is a tool for the disciplined, not a magic wand.
The 'Useful articles' section has been fully revamped!
Hi everyone! I've done a big job and completely rebooted the site's main section — 'Useful articles.' It used to be scattered tips; now it's a clear system for planning the perfect independent trip from A to Z. What's inside: I broke the whole process into stages and wrote a concrete, motivating guide for each — no fluff, just the essentials. The section now covers: where to start if you've never travelled solo; how to travel more often and on a budget; how to choose a country when you have no ideas; what to pack for your first trip; the truth about tours vs. independent travel; a guide to your first solo journey; and a final lifehack on smartly saving on flights and lodging. Each article leads to action and shows that planning a great trip is realistic. To make it even easier, I've gathered all the working tools for finding flights and hotels in a separate section — 'Booking services.' Come in, pick your topic, and off to new adventures.
Phuket tightens checks for flights from India
Phuket has tightened screening for passengers arriving from India after an outbreak of a dangerous virus in the east of that country — several cases, with people in quarantine. Early symptoms resemble the flu. It spreads differently from COVID, but for a traveller it's a signal: watch how you feel and don't tough it out. There are about ten direct flights a day from India to Phuket, and Indian tourists rank fourth by volume there — so the scale is significant. I'm not scaring anyone or saying 'don't go.' I'm for common sense: insurance, attention to your health, and don't ignore a fever on holiday. Thailand is still Thailand; the airport is just a bit more vigilant now, and that's normal.
KOSTAAIR has fully redesigned the site
We've completely redesigned KOSTAAIR while keeping all the content and logic — the site now reads faster, works better on any device and looks visually cleaner.
Cyprus simplifies visas for Russian tourists
🇨🇾⚡️ Cyprus has announced a simpler visa procedure for Russian citizens. The new rules let Russian tourists get visas faster and more easily; for trips of up to 90 days the visa is issued under a streamlined process. Key changes: shorter processing times, a broader list of accepted documents, and a simplified procedure for tourists who have visited Cyprus before. Cyprus remains a popular destination for Russian travellers thanks to its Mediterranean climate, rich history and easy short-stay entry.
Emirates allows early arrival in Dubai
Emirates now lets passengers arrive in Dubai earlier than their scheduled time.
One more visa-free country for Russian tourists
🇸🇦⚡️ Russia and Saudi Arabia have signed an intergovernmental agreement on the mutual abolition of visas. It will take effect no sooner than 60 days after domestic procedures are completed, in particular ratification by parliament. The agreement will let Russian citizens stay in Saudi Arabia for up to 90 days within a calendar year, and vice versa.
KOSTAAIR now has its own logo
We're glad to present the new KOSTAAIR brand logo, which reflects our philosophy of travel and the energy of discovery.