Yakutia Airlines plans to resume its Alaska-Russian Far East air service in the summer of 2022 with 8 to 10 weekly flights. The flights will operate from Anchorage to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, on Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, with onward service to Yakutsk on Mondays, July 11 to August 29. The service may be extended by one or two weeks if demand justifies. Tickets are expected to go on sale by November, 2021.

We encourage outfitters, tour companies as well as event and exchange organizers to contact us with their plans for next year. AirRussia.US would be honored to provide transportation support for your project.

We look forward to seeing you on board again! Photo credit: Slava Stepanov.

Russia has opened its borders to US travelers and resumed processing 3-year, multiple-entry tourist visas at its consulates in the US (New York, Washington DC and Houston). Currently the application processing time is longer than usual, approximately four weeks, so travelers are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Applicants must submit a passport valid for at least six months beyond the projected return date with at least two empty "visa" pages, along with a photo, a visa application (filled out online), and possibly a visa support letter. (Note: If you are applying for a three-year visa, your US passport should be valid for six months beyond the projected expiration date of the visa. If your passport is valid for a shorter term, you may still obtain a multiple-entry Russian visa, but the visa term will expire 6 months prior to the passport’s expiration date.) Applications may be submitted directly to the Consular Division at the Russian Consulate, ILS Russian Visa Centers, or via quality visa processing travel agencies such as Allstate Passports and Visas and Travel Visa Plus.  Allstate Visas and Passports also provide expedited processing of US passports.

For more details and updates, check the Visa to Russia page at the Embassy of the Russian Federation and visit our Russian Visa page.

Have you ever heard of Kamchatka Itelmens, Koryaks or Evens? The Kamchatka peninsula, which is famous for its active volcanoes, unique wildlife, and phenomenal flyfishing, also has rich indigenous culture. Consider exploring ethnographic indoor and outdoor sites, including the open-air museum Itelmen Village "Pimchakh", and Kainyran Native Center, among others. The ethnic village Kainyran (Bear's Corner) will introduce you to the history, culture, and lifestyles of Kamchatka's indigenous peoples. Located on the banks of a lake, Kainyran provides spectacular views of the famous Koryak and Avacha volcanoes. Storytelling and dance performances by Kamchatka natives are among visitors' favorite activities. You will also have an opportunity to learn basic dance moves, be photographed in traditional costumes, sample national cuisine, and more. Photo credit: A. Bondarenko

The 26th Annual Russian-American Pacific-Partnership (RAPP) was held July 27-29 virtually via Zoom. Derek Norberg, President of the Council for US-Russia relations and organizer of the RAPP, noted, “We are encouraged by the high level of representation by the federal and regional/state governments at this year’s RAPP meeting indicative of strong interest in strengthening our interregional dialogue. The topics discussed at this year’s meeting provides a wide range of opportunities to expand cooperation for mutual interest benefit. While challenges remain in the bilateral relationship, we are optimistic about our trans-Pacific relations in the RAPP forum”. Norberg looks forward to a resumption of in-person meetings in 2022. Read more...

Fall is a great time of year to catch steelhead on the Kamchatka peninsula. Photo: Matt Harris, courtesy of The Fly Shop.