Easyjet is to launch the first non-stop scheduled flights between Manchester and Moscow next spring, adding to a recently announced service from London to the Russian capital.
The low-cost carrier was last month awarded the rights to operate flights between Gatwick and Moscow ahead of Virgin Atlantic, and has now confirmed it will also fly to the Russian capital from Manchester, after it was awarded the rights to fly between Manchester and Moscow by the CAA.
The four-times weekly service will operate on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday using A320 aircraft with 180 seats, with a flight time of four hours.
Easyjet chief executive Carolyn McCall said: “Russia has a fast growing economy and is a country rich in culture and history - so a direct link from the north of England has been long overdue. With our strong European network we look forward to connecting Moscow with other European cities."
Specific timings and the launch date for both the London and Manchester services will be announced in the coming weeks. Both services will use Moscow’s Domodedovo airport, located around 26 miles from the city centre.
Easyjet will serve the Manchester-Moscow route by basing an eighth aircraft at the airport, which will also enable the carrier to add new flights to Prague and Thessalonika, and increase frequencies to Paphos and Santorini.
There are currently no non-stop scheduled services between Manchester and Moscow – British Airways offers connecting flights via Heathrow.
easyjet.com