OREANDA-NEWS. Icelandair, the flagship air carrier of Iceland, has started operating scheduled flights from St. Petersburg to Reykjavik. Flights will be operated twice a week from June 1 to September 17, 2013 on Tuesdays and Saturdays, by modern comfortable Boeing 757, equipped with new leather seats and in-flight entertainment systems.

For the first time ever it will take the Russians only four hours to get into the country of glaciers and geysers avoiding exhausting transfers and long journeys.

On Saturday, June 1st, 2013, the red carpet welcome of the first passengers who arrived in Russia took place in Pulkovo-2 Terminal. Pulkovo Airport Ground Service welcomed guests with the festive water arch. The representatives of the Airport, the airline and the aircraft crew attended the ribbon cutting ceremony. The commander of the aircraft was given souvenirs having the Airport and St. Petersburg symbols.

Commencement of the flight operations was preceded by the gala dinner, which was attended by the representatives of the Government of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region, the official delegation from Iceland, the representatives of the business community and the tourism industry. The employees of Northern Capital Gateway LLC, which is Pulkovo Airport Operator, had the honor to congratulate the guests with opening of a new page in the history of international relations of the Russian Federation and Iceland – with the launch of the first ever direct scheduled flight connecting the two countries.

Yevgeny Ilyin, Commercial Director of Northern Capital Gateway, said:

“On the 1st of June, 2013, we witnessed a unique historical event - the start of flights between Russia and Iceland. It is remarkable that this happened in the year of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and Iceland. A high aircraft load factor from the very first flight has become a good omen; it gives us confidence that the new route will be in demand by tourists and business representatives from both countries”.

Birkir Holm Gudnason, CEO of Icelandair, said:

“Using the fan-like route network, Icelandair offers local business and leisure travelers the most convenient flights to Iceland, as well as to the United States and Canada with a transfer in Reykjavik. In addition, our passengers can take an advantage of a unique opportunity to make a stop in Iceland on their way without any overpayments”.

Icelandair Profile

Icelandair is the national airline of Iceland. The airline operates flights to 25 destinations from Iceland to North America and Europe, offering a wide range of services at affordable prices. Icelandair also offers the fastest way to get from St. Petersburg to Boston and New York (USA) with a transfer in Reykjavik, which is only 1 hour.