More Russian cities to have direct flight connections with Crimea

Crimea's reintegration with Russia continues as more cities are starting direct flights to the Black Sea peninsula.

Nordavia airline is launching flights between Crimea’s capital Simferopol to Nizhnekamsk in Tatarstan, Ivanovo and Belgorod, which is not far from the Ukrainian border. The airline will use Boeing 737-500 aircraft with a capacity of up to 135 passengers.

The flights became possible after Crimea opened a brand-new airport terminal in Simferopol this month. It was built in 22 months and covers an area of 78,000 square meters. The hub can handle 3,650 passengers per hour or 6.5 million per year.

In May, Russia also opened a bridge across the Kerch Strait, which connects the Crimean Peninsula and Krasnodar. The 19-kilometre span is longest in Europe.

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