Boeing

The Boeing [NYSE:BA] 777-300ER (extended range) jetliner landed at several Russian airports this week as part of its overall flight test program. The newest longer-range Boeing airplane landed at airports in Novosibirsk, Yakutsk and Petropavlosk. These airports are three of approximately 15 which serve as en route alternate airports for the Polar, Russian Far East and trans-Siberian routes.

The 777-300ER is currently performing extended operations (ETOPS) certification flight testing and, as part of this activity, the airplane will land at nine en route alternate airports typically used by the airlines during dispatch planning.

This photo shows the 777-300ER after landing at Yakutsk Airport. Yakutsk is described by some as "arguably the coldest city on Earth." The airport, which lies between two Polar air routes, currently serves both commercial and limited military aircraft operations.