Etihad Airways has signed a new codeshare agreement with Air Astana, the national carrier of Kazakhstan.

The agreement is the 30th such commercial partnership for the national airline of the United Arab Emirates as it continues to build its global network.

Under the terms of the new deal, travellers originating from any of Etihad’s destinations worldwide can now fly to Kazakhstan through its hub in Abu Dhabi.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ chief executive officer, said: “Together, Etihad and Air Astana now offer 15 weekly services between Kazakhstan and Etihad’s hub in Abu Dhabi and seamless connectivity to more than 100 destinations worldwide.

“For our customers this means more choice and more convenience.”

In 2010 Etihad Airways was recognised by the World Travel Awards as the World’s Leading Airline for the second consecutive year.

Air travellers in Kazakhstan benefit through greater and easier access to Etihad’s global network

Air Astana currently operates 11 services per week to Abu Dhabi from Almaty and Astana.

The daily services from Almaty and four services per week from Astana complement Etihad’s own four services between Abu Dhabi and Kazakhstan, (three to Almaty and one to Astana).

The codeshare services are on sale from February 25th for travel from March 1st 2011, subject to government approval.

Peter Foster, president of Air Astana, said: “This first step of cooperation with Etihad is central to our strategic goal of developing Abu Dhabi as a significant hub for Air Astana in the region.”