The newly launched direct flight between Tehran and the Caspian port city of Astrakhan in southern Russia has reduced the time and cost of transportation and facilitated bilateral trade, the deputy minister of industries, mining and trade, Valiollah Afkhamirad, said. Iran’s Taban Air launched its first flight between the two cities earlier in June with the states aiming to meet the longstanding need of Iranian traders and locals visiting Astrakhan while giving a boost to Iran’s exports to Russia, including agricultural products and seafood. The flight operates twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays, IRNA reported.
