Almaty eyes better air connectivity with China, targets extra flights in 2025
Mayor of Almaty city Yerbolat Dossayev has unveiled plans to boost air connectivity with China, Kazinform News Agency correspondent reports.
As part of a working visit to China, Dossayev signed a memorandum with Air China to assist Kazakhstan to open new flights.
It’s expected that extra flights en route Almaty – Beijing are set to run starting from June 2025 as well as a new Almaty-Chengdu route is to be opened.
According to the city’s authorities, preparatory works are underway with the country’s transport ministry and the routes are set to be opened following the distribution of air traffic rights.
The year 2024 was declared the Year of Tourism of Kazakhstan in China, this year marks the Year of Tourism of China in Kazakhstan. Last year, up to 95,300 Chinese tourists visited Almaty, a 54% growth, said Dossayev.
The city’s total number of tourists stood at nearly 2 million tourists, of whom over 600,000 came from foreign countries, in 2024. The city eyes 2.3 million tourist arrivals this year, including 700,000 from foreign countries.
As earlier reported, Kazakhstan is to increase the number of flights to Turkistan to boost local tourism.