OREANDA-NEWS. NOVOSIBIRSK International Airport provided operation of the first Novosibirsk - Sochi flight performed by its partner-airline ORENAIR during the run of the 22nd Winter Olympic Games. The airport reports of 117 passengers registered for the first Olympic flight, following which Boeing 737-800 aircraft departed from Novosibirsk at 08:25 a.m. local time.

The winter Novosibirsk - Sochi flight programme is confined to the Olympic Games. Departures from Novosibirsk to Sochi are performed during the period of 29.01.2014 - 26.02.2014 each Wednesday and Friday (departure time - 08:25 a.m.) and 16.02.2014 (departure time - 09:00 p.m.). Return flights from Sochi to Novosibirsk are available during the period of 28.01.2014 - 27.02.2014 each Tuesday and Thursday (departure time - 11:00 p.m.) and 16.02.2014 (departure time - 11:10 a.m.). Local time applies.

For those passengers who fly to Sochi by ORENAIR airlines baggage weight allowance is extended: 25 kg and 35 kg for economy and business class passengers respectively (including sports equipment and hand baggage). En route, each passenger will get a welcome chocolate medal symbolizing future memorable Olympic victories.

NOVOSIBIRSK International Airport is the largest air hub in Russia east of the Urals on major transit routes between Europe and Asia. The domestic terminal capacity makes up to 1,800 passengers per hour, while the capacity on international flights - up to 750 passengers per hour. The airport has two runways of ICAO I and II Categories. In 2013 the passenger traffic exceeded 3.748 mln passengers and cargo traffic totalled 29.9 thousand tons of cargo and mail handled. In 2014 the airport expects to serve 4.2 mln passengers and handle over 32 thousand tons of cargo and mail.

ORENAIR airlines' history dates back to 1932. Started as a small squadron 81 year ago, now the enterprise ranks among ten largest airlines in Russia. The company has an international status and represents a unified complex comprising the fleet of various aircraft classes and air technical complex. ORENAIR's flight geography covers over 255 international charter as well as 10 international and 15 domestic routes performed on a regular basis.