Feb 03,2026 Air Astana, the flag carrier of Kazakhstan, announced to launch direct flights between Shanghai and Almaty starting from March 30, 2026. According to the plan, the new route will be operated by advanced Airbus A321LR aircraft, with three flights per week. Flight KC282 from Shanghai to Almaty will depart from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) at 05:40 every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, arriving at Almaty International Airport (ALA) at 10:15, with a flight time of approximately 7 hours and 35 minutes. Flight KC281 from Almaty to Shanghai will depart from Almaty International Airport (ALA) at 19:10 every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday, arriving at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) at 04:25 the following day, with a flight time of approximately 6 hours and 15 minutes. (All times are local time.)
The launch of this new route will further expand Air Astana’s business footprint in China, building upon its existing routes to Beijing, Guangzhou, Urumqi, and Sanya. Passengers departing from Shanghai can conveniently transit through Almaty to destinations within Kazakhstan, as well as in Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Middle East, and Europe.
Kazakhstan, located at the heart of Eurasia, is an important station on the ancient Silk Road and the first proposed area of the Belt and Road Initiative. Almaty is Kazakhstan’s largest city and its economic, financial, cultural, and transportation center. Since November 10, 2023, China and Kazakhstan have had a mutual visa exemption agreement, with single-entry visa-free travel allowed for up to 30 days. The opening of the new Shanghai-Hangzhou route will greatly facilitate connectivity between the Yangtze River Delta region of China and Central Asia, further promoting cooperation and development in trade, commerce, investment, culture, and tourism, building another magnificent “Air Silk Road” for close exchanges between China and Kazakhstan in various fields.
Air Astana has been continuously expanding its route network in China since launching its Almaty-Beijing route more than 20 years ago. Following the launch of the Shanghai route, Air Astana will operate seven routes between Kazakhstan and China: Almaty to Beijing, Shanghai, Urumqi, Sanya, and Guangzhou; and Astana to Beijing and Sanya.
Tickets for the new routes are now on sale and can be purchased through Air Astana’s website, mobile application, authorized travel agencies, and online travel agencies (OTAs).
About Air Astana:
Air Astana is the national flag carrier of Kazakhstan, renowned for its exceptional in-flight service. As a leading airline in Central Asia, Air Astana has been awarded “Best Airline in Central Asia and the CIS” by SKYTRAX for fourteen consecutive years and has received the “Best Staff Service Award in Central Asia and the CIS” nine times consecutively. Furthermore, Air Astana has been awarded a five-star rating in the major airlines category by Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX).
