Tag Archives: Air Astana

Etihad Airways has welcomed the bilateral codeshare with Air Astana which came into operation from 05 December, 2024. The agreement enhances connectivity for customers of both airlines across a range of destinations and gives Etihad’s customers convenient access to 10 destinations through Air Astana’s gateways in Almaty and in Astana, all of which are new to Etihad’s extended network. Kazakhstan’s largest city, Almaty, is a cultural hub with stunning mountain views, vibrant nightlife, and rich history, while the futuristic capital, Astana, is known for its striking modern architecture and dynamic urban landscape. The codeshare arrangement simplifies the travel experience for guests, allowing them to make a single booking and undergo a seamless check-in process, along with the added convenience of having their baggage effortlessly transferred to their final destination. Air Astana’s network becomes easily accessible to Etihad’s customers, who can connect to it via recently launched nonstop flights to Abu Dhabi by the Kazakhstan carrier. As part of this agreement, Air Astana passengers will have access to Etihad Airways’ flights unlocking new travel experiences to India, Bahrain, and Oman. Air Astana passengers will enjoy seamless connections in Abu Dhabi, utilizing Air Astana’s direct flights from Astana and Almaty. Jurriaan Stelder, VP Alliances and Industry Affairs at Etihad, said: “This partnership expands our codeshare network, offering our guests convenient access to 10 of Air Astana’s leisure and business destinations across Kazakhstan, as well as Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan’s vibrant capital, and Tashkent, the historic capital of Uzbekistan. Etihad guests can now enjoy the ease of booking connecting flights and checking in once for their entire journey. “We also look forward to warmly welcoming Air Astana’s customers travelling to Abu Dhabi to explore the inviting hospitality and rich culture …

Air Astana signed a codeshare agreement with Etihad Airways, effective from 26 November 2024, marking an important step in strengthening the strategic partnership and expanding travel opportunities for passengers of both airlines. As part of this agreement, Air Astana passengers will have access to Etihad Airways’ flights to Mumbai, Riyadh, Dammam, Bahrain, Cairo, Doha, Kuwait City, and Muscat, unlocking new travel experiences to India, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman. Etihad’s global network will be accessible to Air Astana passengers via seamless connections in Abu Dhabi, utilizing Air Astana’s direct flights from Astana, which were launched in late October, and from Almaty starting from 5th December 2024. “We are excited to partner with Etihad Airways, offering our passengers enhanced travel options and convenient access to a broader network. This collaboration reflects our commitment to providing passengers with an exceptional and comfortable travel options, whilst maintaining the highest standards of service and safety. We look forward to welcoming passengers on board following this partnership,” said Zhanna Shayakhmetova, Vice President of Marketing & Sales at Air Astana. Codeshare agreements allow for single bookings, simplified check-in processes, and seamless baggage transfer between airlines. To date, Air Astana has signed codeshare agreements with eight airlines worldwide.

Air Astana will be launching new services from Atyrau in western Kazakhstan to Dubai on 26th October 2024, as well as from Astana to Abu Dhabi on 30th October 2024 and from Almaty to Abu Dhabi on 12th December 2024. Each of the services will be operated twice a week using Airbus A321neo and Airbus A321LR aircraft. These new winter season services to the Middle East will add to the existing 20 services a week from Almaty and Astana to Dubai and six services a week from Almaty and Shymkent to Saudi Arabia. “Air Astana is delighted to further boost its presence in the Middle East, with new services to Dubai and Abu Dhabi reflecting the rapid growth in business and leisure traffic between Kazakhstan and the region. In particular, the introduction of a new Atyrau to Dubai service will contribute to wider economic development in western Kazakhstan by enhancing connectivity with important business and tourist centres in the Gulf,” said Yerbolat Baisalykov, Senior Vice-President of Revenue Management and Commercial Planning, Air Astana. “Passengers will also have the opportunity to combine visits to Abu Dhabi and Dubai on one trip, with the possibility of flying from Kazakhstan to one Emirate and returning from the other.” The service from Atyrau to Dubai will operate twice weekly on Mondays and Saturdays, with a flight time of 4 hours; the service from Astana to Abu Dhabi twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with a flight time of 5 hours 1o minutes and the service from Almaty to Abu Dhabi twice a week on Thursdays and Sundays, with a flight times of 4 hours 55 minutes. The cost for round-trip Economy class tickets …

Air Astana and Japan Airlines announced the signing of a codeshare agreement. The agreement will allow both airlines to place their respective codes on a new Almaty to Tokyo service scheduled to be launched in spring of 2026. This agreement enhances connectivity between Kazakhstan and Japan for both business and leisure travelers, as well as more widely fostering greater movement of people and goods between the two countries. Diplomatic relations between Japan and Kazakhstan were established in 1992. Air Astana Group CEO Peter Foster remarked, “Our collaboration with Japan Airlines is an exciting development that will enrich our international network and offer more travel options for our customers. We look forward to delivering a seamless travel experience for passengers between Kazakhstan and Japan.” Japan Airlines Group CEO Mitsuko Tottori stated, “We are delighted to enter into cooperation with such a distinguished partner as Air Astana. We will contribute to further enhancement of over 30 years of diplomatic relationship between Japan and Kazakhstan, through developing passenger and cargo traffic.” More details about routes and schedules will be announced following the integration of both airlines’ scheduling and ticketing systems.

Participating for the first time Air Astana won the title of ‘Best Airline Central Asia’ at the sixth edition of the Arabian Travel Awards. Sudhip Valiyara – Marketing and Sales Manager, UAE – Air Astana shared, “The Arabian Travel Awards celebrated excellence in the travel and hospitality industry with high attendance, fostering networking in a vibrant, fun and energetic atmosphere. Winning the award for Best Airline – Central Asia was an exhilarating honor, validating dedication and commitment in the industry. The recognition bestowed a profound sense of achievement, affirming the hard work and passion invested. The accolade from the Arabian Travel Awards serves as a catalyst, inspiring greater dedication and innovation in 2024, driving me to surpass previous accomplishments and set new benchmarks.”

Flights to Dubai from Almaty will increase from seven to twelve per week, and from Astana from six to ten per week. There will also be charter flights from both Almaty and Astana to Doha in Qatar once a week. Air Astana switched to a Winter Schedule on 29th October 2023, with the resumption of services from Almaty and Astana on seasonal routes and increases in frequencies to popular destinations in the Gulf and Asia. During the Winter Schedule , Air Astana will operate five flights per week on the Almaty-Maldives route, as well as four charter flights per week on the Almaty-Sri Lanka route. Flights from Almaty to Bangkok will increase from three to seven per week, whilst flights from Almaty to Phuket will increase from four to eleven per week. Kazakhstan citizens can travel to Thailand visa free until the end of February 2024. On the Almaty-Delhi route, the number of flights will increase to eleven per week and on the Almaty-Jeddah route, three per week.

Air Astana launched a new direct air services from Almaty to Tel Aviv. The new flight is scheduled to operate twice weekly on Thursdays and Sundays using Airbus A321LR aircraft. The outbound service from Almaty has a flight time of 6 hours 45 minutes, with the return flight from Tel Aviv taking 5 hours and 50 minutes. The cost of a round-trip Economy ticket starts from US$603 and Business Class ticket starts from US$1438. Israeli citizens can stay in Kazakhstan visa-free for up to 30 days. This new route is destined to strengthen business, trade, cultural and tourism links between the two countries. Almaty, nestled at the foothills of the majestic Tien Shan mountains, is the largest city in Kazakhstan and beckons international travelers with its unique blend of culture, nature, and history. Almaty’s cultural tapestry is a testament to its diverse heritage, where Eastern and Western influences converge. Visitors can immerse themselves in the city’s vibrant arts scene, explore captivating museums, and indulge in the flavors of Central Asian cuisine. Nature enthusiasts will be captivated by the city’s proximity to pristine mountain landscapes, offering opportunities for hiking, skiing, and breathtaking vistas.

Air Astana has opened ticket sales for a new direct flight from Almaty to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, which will commence on 1st October 2023. Services will initially operate on Wednesdays and Sundays, with additional frequency to be introduced at a later date. The flight will depart Almaty at 18:40 and arrive in Jeddah at 22:30, with return flights at 23:30 and arrival in Almaty at 08:15. All times local. The duration of the flights will be 6 hours 50 minutes outbound and 5 hours 45 minutes inbound to Almaty. “Saudi Arabia has a rich and diverse cultural heritage, which will be interesting not only for the pilgrimage of Muslims to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, but also for tourists looking to visit cultural, historical and natural sites on the Red Sea,” said Adel Dauletbek, VP Marketing and Sales, Air Astana. “Passengers traveling to Jeddah are offered convenient connections from other cities in Kazakhstan, as well as from Tashkent, Dushanbe and Bishkek. We also expect tourists coming from Saudi Arabia to explore the natural beauty of Kazakhstan.” The cost of a round-trip economy ticket starts from US$734 and round trip business ticket starts from US$1584. Ticket booking for the new flight is now open on the airline’s website, at ticket sales offices, accredited agencies and in the Booking and Information Center.  Citizens of Kazakhstan need to obtain an e-visa prior to traveling to Saudi Arabia. Issued on behalf of Air Astana Group by Euro Asia Communications, Singapore

From 18 March 2023, Air Astana will resume flights from Astana to Beijing with a frequency of two per week on Wednesdays and Saturdays and a further increase set for summer. The flights will be operated on Airbus A321LRs. In addition, from 2 March 2023, the airline will increase the frequency of flights from Almaty to Beijing to four times a week with plans to increase this to daily flights during the summer season. These will be operated on Airbus A321LR and Airbus A321neo. Adel Dauletbek, Vice President for Marketing and Sales at Air Astana: “As we begin to navigate the summer season, the airline is gradually increasing its capacity in China to meet the growing demand of the country with the largest economy and population. Our passengers have the opportunity to travel on comfortable Airbus A321LR and A321neo aircraft. We are confident that these flights will be in demand by passengers who are heading to China for business, tourism and other purposes.” The airline resumed flights to Beijing from 22 November 2022 after suspending operations with China in March 2020 due to the pandemic. From 2002 to 2020, more than 1,100,000 passengers were transported across this route.

Rohit Shorey leads Kazin DMC along with Air Astana conducted a one-week-long B2B networking meeting with potential tour operators based in Dubai, Sharjah & Ras Al Khaimah. The purpose of the visit was to educate the agents about Kazakhstan as a potential tourist destination with USPs such as good weather, natural beauty, myriads of attractions & free visa making the central Asian country a very lucrative travel destination for the Emiratis. Air Astana operates 8 weekly flights to Kazakhstan with a travel time of 4 hours.