IrAero inaugurates Manila flights

Dirk Andrei Salcedo7 months Ago1 Mins read241

The inaugural IrAero flight departs from Manila on Thursday, March 7th. (Photo by Dean Siapno)

On Thursday, March 7, 2024, Russian carrier IrAero successfully established its new direct route between Irkutsk, Russia, and Manila, Philippines.

The inaugural flight, IO-4271, utilizing a Sukhoi Superjet 100-95LR (registry RA-89078), touched down at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) at 6:31 AM.

Departing Irkutsk at 10:46 PM the preceding day, the flight included a brief technical stop in Shijiazhuang, China, for refueling before proceeding to its final destination.

The return flight to Irkutsk, flight IO-4272, departed NAIA at 9:05 AM, after experiencing a delay of approximately two hours.

IrAero’s initial announcement of the Irkutsk-Manila route was reported last month by AviationUpdatesPH.com.

The airline’s current schedule plans for flights to operate from March 6 to May 30, 2024, with a potential extension contingent upon market response.

This historic flight marks both the first time a Russian-made Sukhoi Superjet 100-95LR regional jet has landed in Manila and the establishment of the only direct air connection between the Philippines and Russia.

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Dirk Andrei Salcedo

An aviation enthusiast turned creator of the top aviation news portal in the Philippines, Dirk has a deep passion for everything that flies. When he's not keeping his finger on the pulse of the industry, he also volunteers with a major humanitarian organization, impacting people on the ground and in the sky.