Aurora with its key hub in Vladivostok promises to make the country's Far East more accessible.

Hopes fade of finding 13 people, six weeks after Tyva Avia aircraft went missing in remote and mountainous region.

The two airlines begin codesharing on flights between Russia and Japan on Thursday.

Falling demand for seats, problems with the rouble, and fluctuating exchange rates force Yakutia Airlines to axe three planes.

Russian president warns that 'the work is going slowly' and calls for progress.

Flights from east of Russian resumed for the first time since last year's earthquake and tsunami which led to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster.

The Mi-8 with 25 passengers and a crew of three on board crash landed some 45 km into a flight, said early reports.

Transit passengers from 20 countries will be allowed 72 hours in Russia without the hassle of obtaining a visa.