Direct flights from Astana to Shanghai may be launched

The talks were held in Beijing between the Civil Aviation Committee of Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport and the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). One of the key topics of the meeting was the further expansion of air service between the two countries.

Following the consultations, the parties agreed to increase the number of regular passenger flights that airlines from Kazakhstan and China may operate from 124 to 152 per week.

In addition, the list of major Chinese cities to which flights from Kazakhstan may be operated has been expanded to 11. It now includes Chongqing, one of China’s largest transport, logistics and industrial hubs.

During the talks, attention was also paid to the possibility of opening a new route between Kazakhstan’s capital and China’s largest city.

“In addition, the parties discussed the opening of direct air service between Astana and Shanghai, including by Chinese airlines, as well as the opening of a third international air corridor between Kazakhstan and China,” the Ministry of Transport said.

The ministry explained that the creation of a third international air corridor would increase airspace capacity, optimize flight routes, reduce the load on existing air routes and create additional conditions for the further growth of air traffic between the two states.

The parties also considered issues related to the allocation of slots at Chinese airports for Kazakhstani airlines, the use of China’s airspace, and the possibility of concluding an interdepartmental agreement on cooperation in aviation search and rescue for civil aircraft.