China's largest airline, China Southern Airlines, has suspended flights from Beijing to Moscow at the end of January, a surprise move that comes just ahead of the Chinese New Year. Newsweek reached out to China Southern Airlines and the Russian Foreign Ministry with an emailed request for comment outside of office hours.

China Southern Airlines, the largest airline in China, has announced the suspension of its direct Moscow–Beijing route from January 20 to March 30, according to the Association of Tour Operators of Russia and United24 Media.

This was reported by independent Russian outlet The Moscow Times, citing the Russian Association of Tour Operators. “Flight CZ342 was scheduled to operate daily; however, tickets are currently available on the airline's website only until Jan.