MINSK, 25 April (BelTA) – Svetlana Bartashevich, Chair of the regional public organization National Cultural Autonomy of Belarusians in Karelia (Russia), told BelTA what the Minsk-Petrozavodsk new direct flight will offer travelers.
In the 2026 summer season, a direct air connection will be launched between Belarus and the Republic of Karelia on the Minsk-Petrozavodsk-Minsk route. The new flight is intended to strengthen not only business and tourism ties, but above all human connections.
Flights will be operated by the Severstal Avia Airline using aircraft with a capacity of 50 passengers. The service is scheduled from 3 May to 13 September 2026 and will run once a week, on Sundays. The flight time will be just 1 hour 40 minutes, making it a convenient alternative to other modes of transport.
Svetlana Bartashevich noted that the need for a direct air link is largely driven by active cultural and family ties between Belarus and Karelia, where a large Belarusian community lives. “We have been waiting for this for many years. A huge number of people want to fly from Karelia to Belarus and vice versa,” she emphasized.
Cooperation between Belarus and Karelia continues to grow. New cultural initiatives are being launched, and archival work is underway. The region is home to three Belarusian national-cultural autonomies: Belaya Rus in Petrozavodsk, Syabry in Segezha, and Krinitsy in Kondopoga District. These organizations represent the interests of the Belarusian diaspora and help strengthen ties between the two countries.
According to Svetlana Bartashevich, Karelia is a land everyone should see. Key destinations include Priladozhye, Sortavala, Valaam, and Ruskeala. In Petrozavodsk, notable sites include the Shungite Center, the Firebird Museum, and the House of the Karelians-Ludiks. Special highlights include Kizhi Island, the Golden Ring of Karelia, and the village of Belaya Gora.
The new air route will be an important step in this direction, providing convenient and accessible travel between Minsk and Petrozavodsk. It will open additional opportunities for tourism, business contacts, and cultural exchange.
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