The White House office — which had approved the flying photo opportunity but ordered that the public be kept in the dark about the flight plan — said the Air Force was handling the issue.

The White House said that would save $133 million a year, through a transit fee waiver, shorter flying times and fuel savings.

The White House said Mr. Obama still plans to travel to Russia to attend the Group of 20 economic summit in St. Petersburg. But instead of flying to Moscow afterwards, he intends to head to Sweden.