Air Astana Expands China Network
Air Astana is further expanding its international reach with the launch of a new direct service from Almaty, Kazakhstan to Guangzhou, China, set to commence on March 30, 2025. This exciting development follows closely after the carrier announced new direct flights between Kazakhstan and Nha Trang, Vietnam, starting March 31, 2025. The new route to Guangzhou-Baiyun International Airport (CAN) is part of Air Astana’s strategic initiative to bolster its presence in the Chinese market—a market that has grown in importance since its inaugural service between Astana and Beijing over 20 years ago.
The new service will be operated using Air Astana’s modern fleet of Airbus A321LR aircraft. Known for their long-range capabilities, the A321LRs are a perfect fit for the 2,478-mile (3,965 km) journey from Almaty to Guangzhou. Featuring a two-class cabin configuration with seating for 166 passengers, the new service will offer both business and economy class options, ensuring a comfortable travel experience for all segments of passengers. Flights will depart Almaty three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, with the departure time set at 20:50 local time. Passengers can expect to arrive in Guangzhou at 05:45 the following day, while return flights depart Guangzhou at 06:50 to arrive in Almaty at 10:20.
Peter Foster, Chief Executive of Air Astana, highlighted the significance of the new route: “China has always been a strategically important market for Air Astana, with strong business and leisure traffic growth since the first service was launched between Astana and Beijing more than 20 years ago. The launch of the new service to Guangzhou represents a very significant step in expanding Air Astana’s China network.” Guangzhou, known as the largest industrial center in China and a global leader in textiles, has a rich economic and cultural heritage spanning over 2,000 years. Located just 75 miles (120 km) northwest of Hong Kong, the city serves as an important economic and cultural hub, offering travelers both business opportunities and leisure attractions.
Air Astana already operates a robust network within China, including seven weekly flights between Almaty and Beijing and four weekly flights between Almaty and Urumqi. In addition to the attractive pricing and scheduling, an added incentive for Kazakhstani travelers is the ability to visit China for up to 30 days without a visa. This visa facilitation not only makes travel easier but also enhances the competitiveness of Air Astana’s expanding network in the region.
The carrier is experiencing significant growth and is strategically investing in new routes and fleet enhancements for 2025. According to ch-aviation, Air Astana currently operates a fleet of 31 aircraft, which includes nine Airbus A320neos, three Airbus A321-200s, four Airbus A321neos, twelve Airbus A321LRs, and three Boeing 767-300s. This diverse fleet enables the airline to serve a total of 60 routes spanning 37 destinations across 20 countries. Moreover, Air Astana’s low-cost arm, FlyArystan, supports the group’s overall expansion through an all-Airbus fleet consisting of 13 A320-200s and 11 new-generation A320neos, serving 41 routes to 21 destinations in eight countries.
With its new route to Guangzhou, Air Astana is set to reinforce its leadership in the region by offering more travel options, improved connectivity, and an enhanced travel experience for its passengers. This latest expansion underlines Air Astana’s commitment to growth and its strategic focus on tapping into the burgeoning potential of the Chinese travel market.
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