On October 26, FlyArystan, Kazakhstan’s low-cost carrier, successfully launched its Astana–Yining route. With the addition of this service, FlyArystan has become the foreign airline operating the most routes and offering the highest number of flights in Xinjiang.
The inaugural flight was operated by an Airbus A320. Flight FS7989 departed Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport in Astana at 07:55 local time and arrived in Yining at 13:20. The return flight departed Yining at 15:20 and arrived in Astana at 14:50, with all times given in local time. The new route operates three times per week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
With the launch of the new service, the number of direct routes connecting Kazakhstan with Xinjiang has increased to four, linking Almaty, Astana and Aktau with Urumqi and Yining.
John Eidehagen, President and Chief Executive Officer of FlyArystan, said: “We are proud that FlyArystan has become the foreign airline operating the most routes and offering the highest number of flights in Xinjiang. Demand for direct flights to Xinjiang continues to grow, attracting business travellers, trading businesses and visitors exploring the region for the first time. Once a crossroads of the ancient Silk Road, Xinjiang is once again emerging as a hub for China–Kazakhstan trade. We are committed to growing alongside the region and developing new destinations across the region.”
Yining serves as a gateway to the Ili River Valley, one of Xinjiang’s most scenic regions, known for its lavender fields, Sayram Lake and the alpine meadows of Nalati. The city also shares deep historical and cultural ties with Kazakhstan. The new route is designed to meet the travel needs of both leisure and business travellers.
