Sichuan Airlines launched a direct intercontinental route from Chengdu to Saint Petersburg on Jan. 26, with a total of 216 passengers riding the maiden flight.

This is the airliner’s second international route linking Chengdu to Russia, following the Moscow route opened in 2015. It aims to further promote bilateral exchange in economy, trade, technology, education and agriculture, as well as provide access to the second largest city in Russia, which is also an important industrial center, transportation hub, and a beautiful, European style tourism destination.

The Saint Petersburg route will be operated twice a week on Wednesday and Friday by an Airbus A330. The Chengdu-Saint Petersburg direction will cost 9 hours and 20 minutes, departing Chengdu at 3:25 pm and reaching Saint Petersburg at 7:45 pm. The return flight on Wednesday will cost 8 hours and 25 minutes, leaving Saint Petersburg at 9:45 pm and arriving at Chengdu at 11:10 am the next day, while on Friday, it will leave at the same time and arrive at Chengdu at 10:40 am the next day, running for 7 hours and 55 minutes.

(Please notice the abovementioned is local times and there is a five-hour time difference between the two cities.)