The design of bank cards in Kazakhstan has evolved from simple visuals into sophisticated concepts inspired by neo-futurism and cyberpunk aesthetics. Recent card series reinterpret national symbols, transforming cultural heritage into digital art objects. Cultural heritage Illustrations by artist Aigerim Karibayeva have helped turn Kazakhstani bank cards into collectible art…
South Korea’s low-cost carrier Eastar Jet has reported bringing in three new Boeing 737-8 aircraft, expanding its fleet to 18 units, according to Yonhap. The move comes as part of the company’s effort to further grow its fleet with two more of the same model by the end of 2025.…
Cathay Pacific of Hong Kong plans direct flights to Kazakhstan as it receives new aircraft. Kazakhstan and Hong Kong will double weekly flights between their markets from seven to 14, Kazakhstan’s Civil Aviation Committee said. Seven of those flights will operate under fifth freedom rights, allowing Kazakh carriers and Hong…
Contemporary Kazakh theater is making its way onto the European stage with the play «Sun Line,» which has been included in the main program of the JULA Festival, an international youth theater and music festival held annually in Munich. The play will be performed on Nov. 28, 2025, as one…
Kazakhstan plans to launch direct flights to New York in 2026, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) announced following a meeting on preparations for an upcoming ICAO aviation security audit. The committee noted that the start of flights depends on the results of the ICAO audit, scheduled for Sept. 2-14. The…
FlyOne Asia, an Uzbek air carrier, plans to transform into a low-cost airline and begin flights to Central Asian countries by the end of 2025. This announcement was made by the company’s CEO Aziz Mukhamadaminov, in an interview with CentralAsia+ Aero. FlyOne Asia was created in July 2025, when Uzbek…
The Oi Qaragai resort near Almaty has launched two new entertainment facilities for adrenaline seekers: a sky swing and Kazakhstan’s first alpine slingshot ride. Kursiv.media shares prices and directions. Both adrenaline rides are located at a new Aktas site at the Oi Qaragai resort, at an altitude of 2,140 meters.…
In July 2025, air carriers in Kazakhstan served 1.7 million people, marking a record for at least the past 18 years, according to data from Kazakhstan’s Bureau of National Statistics. Air travel In July, airlines operating flights within and outside Kazakhstan served 1.7 million people, the highest figure since at…
The Andorran company Pas Grau Internacional (PGI) Management, which will help build a ski resort at Kok-Zhailau, has registered a subsidiary with the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC). The move was first reported by Arman Batayev, owner of the Finmentor Telegram channel. PGI is a global leader in ski resort…
Starting Sept. 1, Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) will launch direct flights from Baku to two Iranian cities, Tehran and Tabriz, making travel to Iran more affordable and convenient for passengers from Kazakhstan. AZAL will operate flights from Baku to Tehran four times a week, on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. One-way…
Tour packages for the Backstreet Boys concert in Astana, scheduled for Sept. 21, are now available from Kazakh tour operators, starting at 48,400 tenge (approximately $82). According to Kazakh Tourism, local tour companies Kompas, Skyway LTD and Sanat are offering various concert packages. Kursiv.media reached out to the tour operators…
Kazakhstan will keep track of tourist flows using mobile data. Statistics will be collected based on anonymized information from telecom operators, authorities said. According to the Ministry of Tourism, the move will allow the government to better understand how many people actually travel within the country, including one-day trips without…
Euronews has finished filming two new episodes of its program «Modern Nomads» about the epic tourist routes of Kazakhstan. This time, the crew visited Baikonur and Katon-Karagay, as reported by Kazakh Tourism. Filming for both episodes has been completed, with broadcasts scheduled for September. What Euronews filmed in Baikonur…
China Eastern Airlines is further expanding its nonstop services throughout Central Asia. On July 16, the carrier launched a new route between Xi’an and Tashkent, as reported by Uzbekistan Airports. This marks China Eastern’s debut in the Uzbek market. Tashkent–Xi’an flights are operated three times a week — on Wednesdays,…
Etihad Airways has announced the launch of flights from Abu Dhabi to Almaty and other cities in Central Asia and the South Caucasus, beginning in March 2026. The airline’s announcement followed the Hungarian low-cost carrier Wizz Air’s decision to suspend flights to the region starting September 2025. In total, Etihad…
South Korea’s low-cost carrier Eastar Jet has launched direct flights from Busan to Almaty. The inaugural flight departed the second-largest city in South Korea at 6:55 p.m. local time. The route will operate once a week on Tuesdays. The journey from Busan to Almaty takes seven hours and 50 minutes,…
Malaysia Airlines has launched a campaign selling flight tickets from Delhi starting at $200. This means that until the campaign ends on July 21, anyone can travel from Almaty to Sydney for less than $500. Travelers can also fly cheaply from Delhi to Tokyo, Bali, Auckland and Kuala Lumpur. The…
There’s no need to travel as far as New Zealand to experience the atmosphere of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth, as Kazakhstan offers its own magical landscapes. The county is home to many stunning places where you can feel like a character from «The Hobbit» or «The Lord of the Rings.» Three…
Three years after legalizing cannabis, Thai authorities are set to restrict its sale, allowing marijuana purchases only with a doctor’s prescription. The decision comes amid a sharp rise in cannabis-related businesses and addiction rates since the drug was legalized. Authorities have also reported an uptick in tourists attempting to smuggle…
If you’ve ever dreamed of receiving a letter from Hogwarts, riding the Hogwarts Express, or sipping butterbeer in a cozy magical coffee shop, these three locations in Kazakhstan might just make your dreams come true. Hogwarts Express in Karaganda In the heart of Karaganda, there’s a place that’s sure to…
American superstar Jennifer Lopez will perform in Kazakhstan as part of her world tour in early August. Despite the initial frenzy during the first days of ticket sales, tickets are still available on the Freedom Ticketon website for both Almaty and Astana concerts. According to the seating chart on the…
The Tajik government has adopted an Open Skies policy, lifting key restrictions on foreign carriers. This move effectively abolishes the principle of parity between domestic and international airlines, which previously limited the number of foreign flights to match those of national carriers. Under the new rules, all restrictions on flight…
A cableway is a popular and spectacular means of transportation in mountainous regions. However, despite being fairly widespread and generally safe, incidents still occasionally occur. On June 23, a cable car on Mount Karren in Austria got stuck for over four hours due to a thunderstorm, leaving 19 passengers and…
Air Astana, Kazakhstan’s flag carrier, has canceled several flights to Dubai and Doha scheduled for June 23, citing escalating tensions in the Middle East. The following routes have been suspended: Atyrau-Dubai-Atyrau (KC191/192). Astana-Dubai-Astana (KC205/206). Almaty-Dubai-Almaty (KC897/898). Astana-Doha-Astana (KC655/656). Passengers affected by the cancellations can either rebook their tickets for a…
