FlyArystan has launched a new direct route between Almaty and Chongqing, with its first flight taking place on 23 September. It is the first regular direct connection between Kazakhstan and the Chinese megacity, which previously had no direct link to the country.
The service provides two flights a week, departing Almaty on Wednesdays and Saturdays and returning from Chongqing on Thursdays and Sundays. The journey takes approximately five hours and is operated by Airbus A320ceo and A320neo aircraft, carrying between 180 and 188 passengers.
According to FlyArystan, the new connection is intended to make travel in both directions easier. Travellers from Chongqing and across western China can reach Almaty without a connection, while tourists from Kazakhstan now have more convenient access to Chongqing and the wider southwestern region of China.
Chongqing is best known for its dramatic multi-level cityscape, distinctive architecture and an expansive food culture that some consider extraordinary. One of its best-known sights is Liziba Monorail Station — the one where a train passes through a residential building. Chongqing also serves as a gateway to attractions in southwestern China, including Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.
The route is FlyArystan’s latest connection to China, complementing existing services to Urumqi, Yining and Xi’an. The airline said the new destination was selected in response to growing demand for travel between Kazakhstan and China, as well as its long-term potential.
