St. Petersburg-Beijing air route launched

Russian airline Rossiya and Chinese carrier Hainan Airlines have signed a code-sharing agreement on flights between Beijing and the Russian city of St. Petersburg, Russian News Agency ITAR-TASS reported Monday.

The move increases travel options to China from Russia's second- largest city, especially following a steady rise in air traffic between the two countries in recent years.

Three weekly flights between Beijing and St. Petersburg are currently scheduled under the new agreement.