The first-ever direct flight between Tehran and the Russian city of Sochi took off on Wednesday to mark a new chapter in relations between Iran and Russia. The Airbus A310-300 took 143 passengers to Sochi, which hosted last year’s Winter Olympics. Mahan Air reportedly has scheduled two weekly flights to Sochi. The number of flights is expected to increase to three by August, IRNA reported. Sochi, located on the Black Sea coast, is expected to host 4,000 Iranians this summer, according to the Russian daily Rossiya Segodnya. Last December, Mehdi Sanaei, Iranian ambassador to Russia, said the countries were discussing the possibility of easing visa requirements to facilitate travel and expand bilateral ties.
