Kazakhstan Expands International Air Connectivity
Kazakhstan is continuing to strengthen its international aviation network with the launch of a new route to Georgia and an agreement with China to expand passenger flight capacity and deepen bilateral cooperation in civil aviation.
Kazakh low-cost carrier FlyArystan launched a new weekly service between Atyrau and Batumi on July 14, operating the route with Airbus A320 aircraft. The new connection is expected to support tourism and enhance economic and people-to-people ties between Kazakhstan and Georgia.
Separately, Kazakhstan’s Civil Aviation Committee and the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) held negotiations in Beijing aimed at expanding bilateral air services, according to the Transport Ministry.
The talks, led by Civil Aviation Committee Chair Saltanat Tompiyeva and CAAC Deputy Director General Bai Wenli, resulted in an agreement to increase the number of weekly passenger flights available to airlines from both countries from 124 to 152. The parties also expanded the list of Chinese destinations available for flights with Kazakhstan to 11 cities by adding Chongqing, a major transport, logistics and industrial center in southwestern China.
In addition, the two sides discussed launching direct flights between Astana and Shanghai, including services operated by Chinese carriers, as well as establishing a third international air corridor between Kazakhstan and China. The new corridor is expected to increase airspace capacity, optimize flight routes, reduce congestion and accommodate growing air traffic between the two countries.
The discussions also covered airport slot allocation for Kazakh airlines, access to Chinese airspace and the conclusion of an interagency agreement on aviation search-and-rescue cooperation for civil aircraft.
Photo credit: FlyArystan
