Pioneering air link to connect five major Siberian cities

Operated by IrAero, based in Irkutsk, it will operate from 1 March. 

The routing answers a need in Siberia for flights linking its major cities. Astonishingly, often passengers have to take the train or fly via Moscow to reach other Siberian destinations.

'This route was initially designed to connect the capital of Eastern Siberia with neighbouring Krasnoyarsk and Novosibirsk regions,' said IrAero. 

'The flight proved to be very popular, with all tickets usually sold in advance'.

Now they expect a further boost by adding Omsk and Tyumen to the schedules.  

It will leave Irkutsk twice weekly, on Mondays and Fridays, with return flights on Tuesdays and Saturdays. 

'The flight is aimed most of all at people from Krasnoyarsk, Novosibirsk and Omsk as there is still no air connection between Tyumen and these cities,' said a spokeswoman.  

'All flights will be served by the Bombardier CRJ100'.