This fall, direct flights between Almaty and Chongqing, one of the world’s most populous cities, will launch. Kazakh low-cost carrier FlyArystan will operate the route, the airline said in a statement.
Regular direct flights on the Almaty-Chongqing-Almaty route will begin on Sept. 23.
«The new service will become the airline’s fifth destination in China, complementing FlyArystan’s existing network to Urumqi, Yining (Ghulja) and Xi’an,» the company said in a release.
The service will operate twice a week, departing from Almaty on Wednesdays and Saturdays and from Chongqing on Thursdays and Sundays.
The flight will take about five hours. One-way fares start at around $204. Tickets are already available on the airline’s official website and mobile app.
«The launch of flights to Chongqing reflects our commitment to steadily expanding FlyArystan’s international network in response to the growing demand for travel between Kazakhstan and China. We take a careful approach to selecting new destinations: they must meet passenger demand, align with the capabilities of our fleet and demonstrate strong long-term potential. Chongqing meets all of these criteria. As one of China’s largest metropolitan areas, Chongqing has not previously had direct air connectivity with Kazakhstan. Thanks to the recent agreements reached between the aviation authorities of our two countries, launching this route has become possible. We are proud that FlyArystan will be the first Kazakh airline to introduce direct flights on this route,» President and CEO of FlyArystan JSC Johan Eidhagen said.
Chongqing is one of China’s largest cities and among the world’s most populous metropolitan areas, with more than 30 million people living within its administrative boundaries. The city is known for its dramatic multi-level urban landscape, bridges, cable cars and a metro line that runs through a residential building, earning itы reputation as one of China’s most unusual cities.
The city is also a convenient gateway for exploring southwestern China. Many travelers use Chongqing as a starting point for visiting Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, famous for its quartzite cliffs that inspired the creators of «Avatar.»
