“We're being deceived“: Kazakh MP compares low-cost carrier prices in Kazakhstan and Europe

Tengrinews.kz – Low-cost carriers in Kazakhstan offer tickets that are too expensive compared to European airlines, said Majilis deputy Murat Abenov.

According to Abenov, the aviation sector needs better regulation, including checking carriers and holding them accountable for poor or untimely services.

"I think the high prices, including for low-cost carriers, are a major issue. For instance, in Kyzylorda, there are no regular flights, only low-cost carriers. But the price is 40,000 tenge. In Europe, low-cost carrier tickets cost around 10-12 thousand tenge by our currency, but here it's 40,000. So it turns out we are being deceived. We will pass a law now and keep working on it," Abenov said during a live Instagram broadcast.

Fact: A low-cost carrier (LCC) is an airline that offers cheaper tickets by significantly cutting costs on other services.

The Majilis is planning to review a consumer rights protection bill, which includes a provision that airlines can only keep 10% of the ticket price when a refund is requested.

“Now the control will be stricter, and we will work on penalties so they pay proper fines for poor or untimely services... Once the law is passed, we will tighten the requirements. Personally, I am against the Entrepreneurial Code. There shouldn’t be an Entrepreneurial Code. They have made entrepreneurs an elite class: they cannot be checked, they cannot be restricted, no requirements can be imposed on them, and they cannot be sued,” Abenov added.

Low-cost carriers in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan's only low-cost carrier is FlyArystan. Foreign low-cost carriers, such as Air Arabia, FlyDubai, Pegasus Airlines, IndiGO, and Jazeera Airways, also operate in the country.