Air Astana to Increase Urumqi Flights

[HD videos below] Air Astana is to increase the number of flights it operates between Kazakhstan and Urumqi in Western China.

Flights between Almaty and Urumqi will increase from three times a week to daily from 1 August 2012, while flights between Astana and Urumqi will increase from twice weekly to four times per week from 17 September 2012.

All eleven weekly services to Urumqi will be operated by Airbus A320 with 16 seats in business class and 132 in economy class.

Services to Urumqi from Astana and Almaty commenced in November 2009 and July 2010 respectively. Over 150,000 passengers and 130 tons of freight have thus far been carried on the rapidly growing routes.

"Flights from Kazakhstan to Urumqi, China’s regional trading hub have proven to be very popular with both businessmen and tourists over the past three years. Trade between the two countries has expanded dramatically. Whilst Kazakh tourists are attracted by world famous Chinese heritage sites, bathhouses and exquisite cuisine, Chinese visitors travelling to Kazakhstan, the world’s ninth largest country have been attracted by the diversity of sophisticated, alpine Almaty and its ski resorts, futuristic Astana, Silk Road heritage sites and the boundless steppes. By increased services and consequent connectivity we aim to offer a new gateway between Urumqi and our expanding network to Russia, Central Asia, Turkey and Caucasus," said Ibrahim Canliel, Air Astana vice president Marketing and Sales.

The Astana-Urumqi flight takes 2 hours and 20 minutes, while Almaty-Urumqi flight takes 1 hour and 40 minutes.

HD Video of Almaty, Kazakhstan

HD Video of Astana, Kazakhstan

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