URUMQI, June 2 (Xinhua) -- A direct air route linking the city of Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Irkutsk, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Russia will be launched, Urumqi Air said Saturday.

The air route, which is scheduled to begin service on June 27, will be the airline's first international route.

Urumqi Air will use a Boeing 737-800 for the flight.