An aircraft is ready to take off from Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport to Moscow, Russia. [Photo provided by Lanzhou New Area Business, Culture and Tourism Bureau]

A new international cargo flight route from the northwestern Chinese metropolis of Lanzhou to Moscow officially opened on April 11, strengthening trade, manufacturing, daily consumption, and tourism ties between the two cities.

Workers load products to the Volga-Dnepr Airline IL76 all-cargo aircraft in Lanzhou, capital of Gansu province. [Photo provided by Lanzhou New Area Business, Culture and Tourism Bureau]

It is estimated that the air route will transport 2,800 tons of cargo annually, with two flights weekly conducted by Volga-Dnepr Airline IL76 all-cargo aircraft.

The maiden flight, carrying 45 tons of e-commerce products, took off from Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport, loading specialty e-commerce products in Lanzhou.