An official ceremony of launching a direct regular air service by Turkmenistan Airlines national air company was held at Pulkovo-1 airport in St Petersburg on 26 March. Turkmenistan Airlines will fly to St. Petersburg twice weekly.

Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who was on an official visit to the Russian Federation, and St. Petersburg Governor Valentina Matviyenko attended the ceremony.

According to Matviyenko, the opening of air service "will create favorable conditions for exchanging business delegations and expanding cooperation in all spheres. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov also expressed confidence that the direct air service will help boost business cooperation between the cities.

160 Turkmen artists arrived by the first flight from Ashgabat. They performed a few musical scenes right at the airport. Stirring Turkmen tunes impressed Valentina Matviyenko so much that the governor could not resist joining dancing artists wearing national dress.

From Pulkovo-1 the president of Turkmenistan left for Ashgabat, wrapping up his official visit to the Russian Federation which started on 24 March in Moscow.