On June 2 2018, China Southern Airlines resumed direct scheduled service from St. Petersburg to Ürümqi (China). Flights are performed on the Boeing 737 MAX 8, one of the newest single-aisle aircraft in the world. China Southern became the first airline to operate this type of aircraft at Pulkovo airport.

Flights from St. Petersburg to Ürümqi depart four times a week on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays and will continue until October 8. The aircraft includes 150 seats in the economy class, 24 seats in the premium economy and 4 seats in the business class.

“China Southern Airlines has been a strong partner of Pulkovo Airport for three years already. Since the beginning of operations to St. Petersburg in 2015, the airline has served more than 93,000 passengers on the route, with over 38,000 passengers in 2017.

“We are confident that there is significant potential for expanding our cooperation. Today, the main passenger traffic is in the summer season. However, with the business and cultural ties strengthening between Russia and China we expect a steady high demand for year-round transportation. Furthermore, about 120,000 passengers annually travel between St. Petersburg and points in China using connecting flights. This demonstrates additional potential of the market for increasing frequencies and launching new destinations with direct service,” said Oliver Weiss, Chief Operating Officer of the Pulkovo Airport operator Northern Capital Gateway LLC.

China remains one of the fastest growing destinations in Pulkovo Airport route network. Based on the results of 2017, the total direct traffic between St. Petersburg and the cities in China reached a mark of 223,700 passengers. This is 32% more than in 2016. In the current summer season, Pulkovo Airport offers scheduled flights to Xian, Chengdu, Ürümqi, Beijing, Nanjing and Shanghai, as well as charter flights to Guangzhou, Shanghai, Wuhan and Shenzhen.

In December 2016, Pulkovo became the first Russian airport to receive the Welcome Chinese certificate from the Chinese Tourism Academy. The document confirms the high level of service and availability of special facilities for Chinese travelers in the airport terminal. Such certificates have already been granted to some airports in Europe, such as Rome-Fiumicino and Paris-Charles de Gaulle.