Hopes are high that there could soon be a direct flight between Russia and South Africa.

Multiple global news sources have reported that talks between Russian carrier Nordwind Airlines and South Africa have reportedly taken place regarding direct services between Moscow's Sheremetyevo and South Africa's OR Tambo International Airport.  

The objective of the talks is to launch four non-stop flights a week, including one weekly to Cape Town, according to South Africa's Ambassador to Russia, Mzuvukile Jeff Maqetuka, who spoke to Russian state-owned newswire, Sputnik.

Oleg Ozerov, Russia's Ambassador-at-large and head of the Russia-Africa partnership forum, confirmed discussions to establish the direct flights, with the aim to launch these flights before the 2023 Russia-Africa summit in St Petersburg in July.

This is despite the fact that Nordwind is subject to US and European sanctions invoked due to Russia's war on Ukraine, meaning it cannot legally fly to South Africa under international aviation safety regulations.

Nordwind currently has a fleet of 28 Western aircraft – five Boeing 777s, 11 Boeing 737s, five Airbus A330s and seven Airbus A321s – all of which are leased.

South Africa's International Air Services Council told ch-aviation that Nordwind had yet to submit an application for a foreign operator's permit.

In order for South Africa's Civil Aviation Authority to allow Nordwind to launch flights, the Russian carrier will also need to demonstrate that its aircraft are airworthy.

With no access to spare parts (due to imposed sanctions), or other safety-critical aspects of aircraft maintenance, major concerns have been raised over the safety of its aircraft.

A spokesperson from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) 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”.

"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,” Maqetuka said.