"Aeroflot-Russian Airlines" has announced the start of  regular flights on the Moscow - Mineralniye Vody - Jidda route.
The frequency and periodicity of the flights are planned to meet the specific requirements for this particular route. The majority of passengers are the Muslim citizens of The Russian Federation, travelling as pilgrims to seek hallows in Saudi Arabia.

The flights on the Tupolev-154 airplane, takes place once a week on Thursdays starting November 30 through December 10, 2006, and starting December 26, 2006 through January 7, 2007, and from January 22 through March 31, 2007.

The flights will be also conducted four times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from December 11 through December 25, 2006 and from January 8 through January 22, 2007.

Departure from Sheremeteyevo-1 at 6.45, arrival to Jidda airport at 14.45. Departure from Jidda airport at 16.25, arrival to Sheremeteyevo 1 at 01.00 next day (local time).

The flight route passes through the city of Mineralniye Vody in order to enable more passengers, residents of North Caucasus, to travel directly from Mineralniye Vody to Saudi Arabia. Flight No. SU787/788 from Moscow to Mineralniye Vody is the country’s internal flight, while flight No. SU-503/504 from Mineralniye Vody to Jidda is the international flight. Customs and immigration procedures are carried out in Mineralniye Vody airport. Airplane staying time is two hours.

The main task of Aeroflot for this flight is to ensure safe and comfortable travel for the citizens of Russian Federation during the Hadj. The launch of regular air communications Moscow- Mineralniye Vody - Jidda is in line with development  prospects and complies with the company's plans to broaden the flight geography in Near and Middle Eastern regions.

In 2005, Aeroflot serviced over 13 thousand Muslim pilgrims on the company's charter flights. In the first half of 2006 this number was six thousand people. In 2006 the Ministry for Pilgrims Affairs of Saudi Arabia has significantly increased the quota for pilgrims from Russia. Development of economical and cultural ties between the Russian Federation and Saudi Arabia has contributed to  the growth of demand for flights from Russian Federation to Saudi Arabia.

Aeroflot is the General Sponsor of MITT 2007.