From Dec 15, a direct air route taking passengers from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport to Irkutsk International Airport in Russia will offer an easier journey to Lake Baikal, the world's largest freshwater lake.

The air route is operated by S7 Airlines and uses an Airbus A320. [Photo/carnoc.com]

The direct flight route, operated by S7 Airlines, has two scheduled flights each week on Tuesdays and Fridays. The flight from Guangzhou to Irkutsk departs at 03:45 and arrives at 09:00 while the returning flight departs at 21:55 and arrives at 02:45 next day.

The city of Irkutsk is the administrative center of Irkutsk Oblast and is one of the largest cities in Siberia. It is the closest city to Lake Baikal and a stopping point for tourists wishing to see it. The lake contains more water than all the North American Great Lakes combined.

The launching ceremony for the air route. [Photo/carnoc.com]

The opening of the route marks the implementation of a cooperation memo signed by S7 Airlines and Guangdong Airport Authority at the World Routes 2018, which was held in Guangzhou in early September.

With a history of over 300 years, the city of Irkutsk is regarded by Russians as the "Heart of Siberia" and is known as the "Russia's Oriental Paris".  [Photo/carnoc.com]