Nordwind Airlines
Russian leisure airline headquartered in Moscow and based at Sheremetyevo International Airport.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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History
Nordwind Airlines was founded in August 2008 by the Russian and Turkish branches of Pegas Touristik, a tour operator whose travel business provided the airline with an immediate connection to the leisure market. The carrier started with three Boeing 757-200 aircraft and was designed primarily to transport Russian holidaymakers to overseas destinations. Its initial identity was therefore different from that of a network airline focused on business travel or intercontinental connecting traffic: Nordwind's core role was to support organized tourism and link Russian departure points with resort destinations. During its first decade, Nordwind expanded its route network and fleet. The company operated services between airports in Russia and destinations in Europe and Asia, while also developing links to the Middle East, Africa, and other international regions. In 2017, it acquired two used Airbus A330 aircraft. The addition of these wide-body aircraft gave the airline more capacity for long-distance leisure routes and complemented its earlier Boeing 757-based operation. At different stages, Nordwind's fleet included Airbus A320-200 aircraft, Airbus A330 aircraft, Airbus A321neo aircraft, Boeing 737-800 aircraft, Boeing 757-200 aircraft, and Boeing 767-300ER aircraft. The airline's operations have occasionally been affected by geopolitical and security events. On 29 April 2013, a Nordwind aircraft traveling from Sharm El Sheikh to Kazan encountered two surface-to-air missiles fired by unknown forces in Syria. The flight crew took evasive action, and the aircraft continued to Kazan without damage. The incident underscored the risks associated with operating leisure routes through or near regions affected by armed conflict. Nordwind was also mentioned in reporting concerning the movement of Venezuelan gold. The Wall Street Journal reported that approximately 7.4 tons of gold were transported on Nordwind flights from Venezuela to a refinery near Entebbe, Uganda, in March 2019. The report connected the shipments to a suspected wider network that U.S. authorities believed could help Nicolás Maduro's government remain in power. The available reference material describes the reporting and its allegations but does not provide a judicial finding or establish that Nordwind was found liable for misconduct. By 2021, Nordwind reportedly served 98 destinations in 28 countries. Its network covered domestic Russian travel as well as international destinations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, South America, and Asia. This breadth reflected the airline's development from a small tour-operator-linked carrier into a sizeable leisure airline with a wide international footprint. Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 fundamentally changed the company's operating environment. Nordwind suspended all international flights, and several leased aircraft that were outside Russia when the invasion began were returned to their lessors. The airline was also affected by international sanctions and export controls. In August 2022, the U.S. Commerce Department extended restrictions to European-manufactured Airbus aircraft in Nordwind's fleet, while restrictions also blocked or complicated the supply of spare parts. These measures created continuing challenges for fleet maintenance, aircraft availability, and international operations. Nordwind is banned from flying to the European Union. Despite the contraction of its international activity, the airline's later cooperation with other carriers continued. In March 2025, Nordwind and Belavia signed a codeshare agreement covering connecting flights through Kazan Airport and Pulkovo Airport. The agreement indicates an effort to maintain or rebuild connectivity through partner arrangements, although the available material does not provide a complete account of Nordwind's current route network or fleet status.
- 2025
Codeshare agreement with Belavia
[1]Nordwind and Belavia agreed to operate connecting flights through Kazan and Pulkovo airports.
- 2022
International operations suspended after the invasion of Ukraine
[1]Nordwind suspended international flights, while some leased aircraft outside Russia were returned to their lessors.
- 2022
Aircraft and spare-parts restrictions intensified
[1]U.S. restrictions were extended to European-manufactured Airbus aircraft in the fleet, and sanctions affected access to spare parts.
- 2021
Network reaches 98 destinations in 28 countries
[1]The airline was reported to serve a broad network across Russia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, South America, and Asia.
- 2017
Two used Airbus A330 aircraft acquired
[1]Nordwind added two used Airbus A330 aircraft to support higher-capacity and longer-distance operations.
- 2013
Missile incident involving a Syria-route flight
[1]A Nordwind aircraft flying from Sharm El Sheikh to Kazan took evasive action after two surface-to-air missiles were fired in Syria; the aircraft arrived without damage.
- 2008
Nordwind Airlines is founded
[1]The airline was established in August by the Russian and Turkish branches of Pegas Touristik and began with three Boeing 757-200 aircraft.
Products and positioning
Leisure-oriented Russian passenger airline serving domestic routes and international holiday destinations.
Passenger aviation · 2008
Domestic passenger services
Nordwind operates passenger services between airports in Russia. Domestic flying provides the airline with an operating base independent of its international leisure network and connects Russian cities with Moscow and other transfer points. The available reference material does not specify the complete current domestic schedule.
Leisure aviation · 2008
International leisure services
The airline's principal commercial proposition has been air travel from Russia to holiday destinations abroad. Its historical international network included destinations in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and South America. These services were closely associated with the tourism business of Pegas Touristik and were operated with both narrow-body and wide-body aircraft.
Charter aviation · 2008
Charter-oriented travel services
Nordwind was founded as a leisure carrier connected to a tour operator and has historically supported organized holiday travel. Its charter-oriented role complements scheduled passenger flying, particularly on routes to seasonal resort markets. The available material does not provide separate charter revenue or a current charter schedule.
Airline partnership · 2025
Codeshare connections with Belavia
Under the March 2025 agreement with Belavia, the two airlines provide connecting-flight opportunities through Kazan Airport and Pulkovo Airport. This offering extends network connectivity through a partner arrangement rather than representing a separate aircraft or cabin product.
Controversies
2019
Reported Venezuelan gold shipments
The Wall Street Journal reported that Nordwind transported gold from Venezuela to a refinery near Entebbe, Uganda, in March 2019. The report placed the flights within an alleged wider network linked to efforts to support Nicolás Maduro's government. The available material does not establish criminal liability, a regulatory finding, or wrongdoing by Nordwind itself.
Brand decisions
2025
Enter a codeshare arrangement with BelaviaOtherBackground
Nordwind sought to provide connecting opportunities through selected Russian airports while international operating restrictions remained in place.
Action taken
Nordwind and Belavia signed a codeshare agreement covering connections through Kazan Airport and Pulkovo Airport.
Aftermath
The agreement broadened partner-based connectivity; the available material does not quantify its commercial effect.
2022
Suspend international flightsStrategyBackground
Russia's invasion of Ukraine led to a sharply changed regulatory and operating environment for Russian airlines.
Action taken
Nordwind suspended all international flights, and some leased aircraft located abroad were returned to lessors.
Aftermath
The airline's international network contracted, while sanctions and spare-parts restrictions created additional fleet-maintenance challenges.
2017
Add wide-body Airbus A330 aircraftGeneration changeBackground
Nordwind needed aircraft suitable for longer international leisure routes and higher passenger volumes.
Action taken
The airline acquired two used Airbus A330 aircraft.
Aftermath
The A330s expanded the carrier's wide-body capability alongside its existing Boeing aircraft and other Airbus models.
Recent events
- 2025
Nordwind and Belavia sign a codeshare agreement[1]
M&A · Other
Nordwind and Belavia signed a codeshare agreement for connecting flights through Kazan Airport and Pulkovo Airport.
- 2022
International flights suspended after Russia's invasion of Ukraine[1]
Regulation · Other
Following the invasion, Nordwind suspended international flights. Some leased aircraft located outside Russia were returned to their lessors.
- 2022
U.S. restrictions extended to European-manufactured aircraft in Nordwind's fleet[1]
Regulation
The U.S. Commerce Department extended sanctions and export-related restrictions to European-manufactured Airbus aircraft operated by Nordwind. Restrictions also affected the airline's access to spare parts.
- 2021
Nordwind operates a broad international network[1]
Other
Nordwind was reported to serve 98 destinations in 28 countries, spanning Russia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, South America, and Asia.
- 2017
Nordwind expands wide-body fleet with used Airbus A330 aircraft[1]
Product generation
The airline acquired two used Airbus A330 aircraft, supporting its longer-distance and higher-capacity international leisure operations.
- 2013
Nordwind aircraft takes evasive action after missiles are fired in Syria[1]
Other
Two surface-to-air missiles were fired by unknown forces in Syria at a Nordwind aircraft traveling from Sharm El Sheikh to Kazan. The pilots took evasive action, and the aircraft continued to Kazan without reported damage.
Sources2 sources
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