Qatar to Launch Direct Charter Flights from Russia for Winter 2026/27
Qatar is strengthening its tourism links with Russia ahead of the winter travel season, with Visit Qatar and FUN&SUNsigning a strategic Memorandum of Understanding at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026 in Dubai.
The partnership will introduce a dedicated charter flight programme connecting Moscow and Yekaterinburg directly with Hamad International Airport in Doha from October 2026.
The programme is expected to bring more than 22,000 Russian tourists to Qatar during the 2026/2027 winter season, while making it easier for travellers to book complete Qatar holidays combining flights, beachfront accommodation, excursions and cultural experiences.
Direct Charter Flights from Moscow and Yekaterinburg to Doha
At the heart of the agreement is improved direct air connectivity between Russia and Qatar.
Visit Qatar and TT-Travel LLC (FUN&SUN), a major tour operator serving the Russian and CIS markets, will collaborate on dedicated charter services from Moscow and Yekaterinburg to Doha.
The flights are scheduled to begin in October 2026, targeting the winter travel period when Qatar’s milder temperatures make it particularly attractive for outdoor activities, beach stays and sightseeing.
The charter programme is designed to support growth in leisure arrivals from Russia while providing travellers with a more convenient route to the destination.
Qatar Holiday Packages Combining Beaches, Culture and Luxury
The partnership goes beyond simply adding flights.
Visit Qatar and FUN&SUN will also develop and promote complete holiday packages, combining direct charter flights with beachfront hotels and resorts, excursions and cultural experiences.
The packages will showcase several areas of Qatar’s tourism offering, including luxury hospitality, family entertainment, beaches and cultural attractions.
For travellers considering a winter escape, this means Qatar can be positioned as both a resort destination and a cultural city break-allowing visitors to combine time by the beach with dining, museums, heritage attractions, shopping and other experiences during the same holiday.
More Than 22,000 Russian Visitors Expected
The new charter programme is projected to generate over 22,000 tourist arrivals from Russia during the 2026/2027 winter season.
Supporting the flights will be a substantial marketing campaign aimed at increasing Qatar’s visibility among Russian travellers.
Visit Qatar and FUN&SUN plan to introduce B2B training webinars, incentives for retail travel agencies, trade roadshows and co-branded digital advertising aimed directly at consumers.
The campaign will also benefit from FUN&SUN’s distribution network of more than 600 partner travel agencies, helping Qatar packages reach potential travellers across key Russian markets.
Qatar Expands Its International Tourism Markets
The agreement forms part of Visit Qatar’s wider strategy to diversify the country’s international visitor markets while strengthening direct connectivity.
Russia and the wider CIS represent an opportunity to grow Qatar’s premium leisure segment, particularly during the winter months when the country’s climate, resorts and outdoor experiences can provide an alternative to colder destinations.
Combining guaranteed charter capacity with tour packages and travel-trade distribution also allows Qatar to reach travellers at multiple stages of the booking journey-from initial destination awareness through to purchasing a complete holiday.
The agreement was signed on the sidelines of ATM 2026 in Dubai, where Visit Qatar is participating alongside a delegation of tourism and hospitality partners.
A New Winter Route to Qatar
With direct charter flights from two Russian cities, bundled resort packages and a coordinated marketing campaign, the Visit Qatar and FUN&SUN partnership is designed to make Doha a more accessible winter holiday option for Russian travellers.
The first services are expected to begin in October 2026, with the programme continuing through the 2026/2027 winter season.
If projections are achieved, the partnership will bring more than 22,000 additional Russian visitors to Qatar while further strengthening the country’s position as a winter sun, luxury and family leisure destination in the Gulf.
For destination information and travel inspiration, visit Visit Qatar’s official website.
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