Direct air route opens between China's Shenzhen and Moscow

A total of 266 passengers boarded a China Southern Airlines flight in the city of Shenzhen in south China's Guangdong Province, and arrived in Moscow Thursday, marking the official opening of the first direct air route between the two cities.

Flight CZ8371 is operated by Airbus A333 aircraft and can carry up to 284 passengers. Two flights will depart Shenzhen at 4:35 p.m. and arrive in Moscow at 9:45 p.m. local time Monday and Thursday. The return flights will leave Moscow at 11:30 p.m. and arrive in Shenzhen at 1:30 p.m. local time.

The route is the third direct air link connecting Shenzhen and Europe, following Frankfurt and Milan.

A promotional economy class round-trip ticket will cost 1,750 yuan (262 U.S. dollars) without taxes, in the early stages, China Southern Airlines said.