Yekaterinburg-based Ural Airlines launched a flight from Vladivostok in Russia, to Bangkok in Thailand traveling via Harbin in Northeast China’s Heilongjiang province, starting Nov 19.

The flight is being launched to satisfy the increasing demands of tourism and trade during the winter season in the three cities.

Harbin, which is located in the center of Northeast Asia, is a key transportation hub linking Russia and China. In recent years Bangkok has become increasingly popular as a tropical resort for Chinese tourists.

The newly-launched flights operate as U6-781 and U6-782, and run every Wednesday and Sunday. The return flights take place on the same days.

The opening of the new flight is expected to shorten the duration of a single journey from Harbin to Bangkok to just 6 hours.

 The Vladivostok-Harbin-Bangkok flight arrives at Harbin Taiping International Airport in Harbin, Northeast China’s Heilongjiang province on Nov 19.[Photo/Chinanews.com]

Passengers disembark the Vladivostok-Harbin-Bangkok flight at Harbin Taiping International Airport in Harbin, Northeast China’s Heilongjiang province on Nov 19.[Photo/Chinanews.com]

Cargo is unloaded from the Vladivostok-Harbin-Bangkok flight at Harbin Taiping International Airport in Harbin, Northeast China’s Heilongjiang province on Nov 19.[Photo/Chinanews.com]