BEIJING, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Hainan Airlines, one of leading carriers in China, announced that it has launched direct flights connecting Beijing with the Russian city of Yekaterinburg on Saturday.

The new route will use Airbus A330 aircraft to make two direct flights each week on Tuesdays and Fridays between the two cities, the carrier said.

Besides Yekaterinburg, Hainan Airlines also operates flights between Beijing and other Russian cities including Moscow and St. Petersburg.