Iran has opened direct flights between Tehran and the Russian city of Astrakhan to boost trade ties between the two countries, local media reported Tuesday, citing a senior official with Iran’s Trade Promotion Organization.

Flights between Iran’s capital and southern Russian city are scheduled for every Tuesday and Friday, the ISNA news agency cited TPO Vice President Mohammad Reza Modoudi as saying.

The flight is aimed at promoting trade between Iran and Russia, but ordinary passengers will also use the route, according to Modoudi.

The media outlet did not name the flight operator, while the online timetable of Astrakhan’s international Narimanovo Airport shows a Taban Air flight arriving at 13:00 local time (09:00 GMT). / Tehran times /