Nordwind Airlines is planning to launch commercial operations to South Africa; however, the airline cannot legally fly to South Africa due to US and European sanctions. Recently the airline management were in talks with the South African authorities to allow direct services between Moscow and Johannesburg.
According to sources, Aeroflot was also in the fray to begin direct flights, but South African authorities ultimately opted for Nordwind. The airline will operate four flights a week between Russia and South Africa, which would also include a weekly service to Cape Town, to boost Russian tourism.
In the recent quote given to Sputnik, Mzuvukile Jeff Maqetuka, South Africa's ambassador to Russia, said: "Our transport department discussed Aeroflot flights with the Russian transport ministry, then we were informed that it had been decided that it would be Nordwind."
The news was also confirmed by Oleg Ozerov, Russia's ambassador-at-large and head of the Russia-Africa partnership forum.
However, according to sources, Nordwind has not yet received its foreign operator permit. In order for South Africa's Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) to allow Nordwind to launch flights, the airline has to demonstrate the airworthiness of its aircraft. However, with the western sanctions and ban on the export of spares, the airline is likely to fail the airworthiness test.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has expressed serious concerns regarding this matter. A spokesperson said: “The agency was seriously concerned about the safety situation of the western-built fleet in Russia, particularly regarding how those aircraft are being maintained and how the pilots and the engineers are trained."
Meanwhile, since the outbreak of Russia-Ukraine war followed by economic sanctions, Nordwind has continued to flout Western sanctions by operating its mixed fleet of Boeing and Airbus aircraft. The airline has a fleet of 28 aircraft of which, five are 777s, 11 737s, five A330s and seven A321s, all on lease.