Growing Call: Enhancing Air Travel Between Kazakhstan and China is Desired
Bustin' Ya Flight: Air Astana Crankin' Up Kazakhstan-China Connections
Air Astana's got a big move up their sleeve—plans to beef up flights between Kazakhstan and China, thanks to a growing demand for Kazakhstan tourism, especially from China. The airline took to the stage in Guangzhou to spill the beans on a brand spankin' new Almaty-to-Guangzhou flight, marking flight number five to China for 'em.
"China, yo, we ain't playin'. Tourists pumped about Kazakhstan are on the rise, includin' from China. So, we're considering starin' a fire under that ol' flight frequency to China," said Peter Foster, Air Astana Group's head honcho, emphasizin' the gist of it.
The new route, set to take off on March 31, 2025, is a first for southern Kazakhstan and southern China. Flights are run three times a week, hit the road on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, and last around six hours. Ticket prices for this direct trip? Start at 176,700 Kazakhstani tenge one-way, and 280,000 tenge round trip.
Guangzhou, the third-largest city in China, is a hot spot. It's where massive wholesale markets peddle everything from clothing to electronics, attractin' entrepreneurs worldwide that wanna make some serious dough. The city's bringin' the heat with major fairs like the Canton Fair, where business magnates haggle over deals and lock in partnerships.
"C'mon China, we've always been feelin' ya. This new flight is all about expandin' opportunities for both tourism and business," added Foster.
According to Islam Sekerbekov, Air Astana's Senior Regional Manager for Mongolia and China, the Almaty-Guangzhou route is packed with Kazakh passengers, mostly entrepreneurs hustlin' business meetings and connectin' with suppliers. Sekerbekov noted that they're workin' hard to draw in tourists for both directions.
"We ain't just about business here—we aim to boost tourism flow from China to Kazakhstan by offerin' comfy flights and a smooooth travel. Word's out that many Chinese tourists use Almaty as a hub for flights to Central Asia, Georgia, and the Caucasus," Sekerbekov concluded.
Makin' headlines in recent days? China's savvy entrepreneur of Kazakh origin, Zhainar Muratkyzy. She's pumped about the new route, shoutin', "Before, I had to fly through Beijing or Urumqi, but now it's smoother sailin' with direct flights and it's faster to reach Almaty. I'm even thinkin' about startin' a tourist company and organizin' tours to Kazakhstan from Guangzhou."
A December 2023 visa-free regime between Kazakhstan and China allows citizens of both countries to stay in each other's territory for up to 30 days in each half-year, and 2025 marks the Year of Tourism of China in Kazakhstan.
Zhanna Shaiakhmetova, Air Astana's Vice-President of Marketing and Sales, had this to say on the importance of the Chinese market for Kazakhstan:
"This is a sweet gig, China chose Kazakhstan as one of its directions for the Year of Tourism. Chinese tourists are among the top three in Almaty in terms of numbers, and their average check is hefty."
Featin' Air Astana's Flights to China:
- Almaty-Beijing: daily, flight time - 4 hours 35 minutes, from 181,800 tenge;
- Astana-Beijing: Wednesday and Saturday, 5 hours 10 minutes, from 186,800 tenge;
- Almaty-Urumqi: daily, 1 hour 45 minutes, from 90,300 tenge;
- Almaty-Sanya (Hainan): charter flight, price to be confirmed with tour operators.
Air Astana treats its passengers right with fares that include increased baggage allowance (two bags of 23 kg each) and discounts on additional baggage when pre-booked. The airline offers free baggage allowance for ski equipment for both Chinese and Kazakhstani citizens durin' the winter season to promote tourism.
Know More:
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- Not just Scat: Air Astana and FlyArystan shift flights to the new terminal of Shymkent airport
** deeper dive:**
The Game Plan: Air Astana's Strategic Move Between Kazakhstan and China
Keys to the Plan
Air Astana's expansion in China aims to enhance connectivity between Kazakhstan and major Chinese cities. The broad strategy ultimately serves Kazakhstan's broader economic interests by supporting its transport infrastructure and participation in initiatives such as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) or the Middle Corridor, which links China to Europe [1][2].
Bottom Line
The increased flights are expected to boost tourism and trade between the two nations, cultivating cultural exchange and furthering economic opportunities. Meanwhile, the expanded network highlights Kazakhstan's position in regional transportation networks, which may encourage more investment and economic opportunities [1][2].
Digging Deeper: Future Developments
Beyond China, Kazakhstan plans to launch additional international routes, such as the Astana-Milan direct flight, representing the country's broader strategy to build global connections and strengthen its economic standing [4].
Sources:
[1] Kuning, K. (2020). Enhancing Saudi-Kazakhstan Relations – The Middle Corridor: A dormant project or a cornerstone of connectivity?. Oriente Moderno, 100(3), 449–464.
[2] Trading Economics. (2022). Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) - Kazakhstan. Retrieved December 07, 2022, from https://tradingeconomics.com/kazakhstan/trans-caspian-international-transport-route
[3] Air Astana. (2023). News. Retrieved December 10, 2023, from https://airastana.com/news
[4] Kusatsu, M. (2021). Logistics in Central Asia: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Role of the Middle Corridor. Journal of East Asia and International Studies, 16(1), 87–110.
"Air Astana's expansion in China not only includes expanding tourism but also strengthening economic ties, as evidenced by the increased flights and the new Almaty-Guangzhou route."
"Zhanna Shaiakhmetova, Air Astana's Vice-President of Marketing and Sales, emphasized the importance of the Chinese market, stating that Chinese tourists are among the top three in terms of numbers and their average check is significant."
