Air Astana, the Kazakhstan based carrier, announced the launch of its first direct non-stop flight from Astana City to Dubai from 30th October to meet growing commercial demands. The new route which will operate twice weekly services in addition to the existing daily services between Almaty and Dubai, represents the expansion of Air Astana’s network and demonstrates the growing economic cooperation between both countries.

To service the new direct route, Air Astana is using its comfortable Airbus A320 aircraft which will carry both direct and transit passengers and has the capacity to fly 16 business class and 132 economy class passengers.

At present Air Astana performs daily flights to Dubai from Almaty, situated in the south of Kazakhstan. The total number of passengers transported from Kazakhstan to Dubai since the start of Air Astana JSC operations in 2002 is 183,475.

Peter Foster, President of Air Astana JSC, commented:

‘The new route is opening in connection with increased economic demand. In particular, it is expected that the main consumers of Air Astana services will be both direct and transit passengers, mostly businessmen and Kazakhstan Muslims performing Haj to Mecca through Dubai. In addition we expect an increasing number of students and tourists to make use of the new route, which is representative of the improvement of living standards among Kazakhstan’s population and high economic growth of the country.’

With an expected load factor of the aircraft of 75 %, the new route will allow Air Astana to provide further increase flight frequency to Dubai and increase capacity on most of its existing routes. The new direct route aims to serve as an additional catalyst for the development of the economy and tourism while strengthening bilateral cooperation between the Republic of Kazakhstan and United Arab Emirates.

Mr. Chan Gammampila, Regional General Manager, M.E., Africa & Indian Subcontinent commented: ‘In 2006 Air Astana operated 3 flights a week between Dubai and Almaty. The airline now flies daily to Almaty and with the addition of Astana, the total number of flights from Dubai to Kazakhstan numbers nine flights per week. We are witnessing encouraging growth in traffic and expect growth to continue due to improving business relations between the two countries.’

‘Furthermore beginning this year Air Astana Airline’s regional office based in Dubai became operational and is further proof of our commitment to the region.’

Flight duration is 4 hours 40 minutes.

Air Astana JSC is a joint venture of Kazakhstan Government and British ’ BAE Systems’ company with 51% and 49% of shares correspondingly. At present the air fleet of Air Astana JSC consists of western-type aircrafts, such as Boeing 767-300, Boeing 757-200, Airbus A321, Airbus A320, Fokker-50.

Air Astana is a full member of International Air Transport Association (IATA) and is the only air company in Kazakhstan, certified for providing technical maintenance of aircrafts according to European standards EASA/Part 145
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