Commercial services have commenced at Saratov's new Gagarin airport, with Pobeda and Aeroflot conducting initial flights from Moscow.

Pobeda operated a Boeing 737-800 as DP467 from Moscow Vnukovo, which arrived more than 20min early at 08:07.

It was followed by Aeroflot's SU1356, flown by an Airbus A320, from Moscow Sheremetyevo which was nearly 30min ahead of schedule.

The aircraft both touched down on Gagarin's runway 26. Pobeda's aircraft has since departed for the return service to Vnukovo.

Gagarin replaces the Russian city's older Tsentralny airport. The new airport's live arrivals information indicates that carriers including S7 Airlines, Nordwind, Pegas Fly and Utair are all scheduled to fly to Gagarin today.

Source: FlightGlobal.com