Air Astana. Photo: Shutterstock Kazakhstan's national carrier, Air Astana, continues its expansion across Asia with the launch of a new route between Almaty and Shanghai, one of China's most important and dynamic business centers.
The new route will operate three times a week, joining the group's existing route network in China, which includes flights to Beijing, Guangzhou, Sanya, Urumqi and Ningbo.
With the launch of the Shanghai route, Air Astana Group operates up to 32 weekly flights between Kazakhstan and six major destinations in China, underscoring the company's accelerated expansion in the region.
The launch was accompanied by a festive event held in Shanghai, attended by representatives from the tourism and aviation industries, as well as media outlets. The event also showcased tourism opportunities in Kazakhstan, alongside works by local designers and artists, as part of an effort to deepen cultural and economic ties between the countries.
Air Astana sees the move as part of a broader strategy to strengthen its presence in the Chinese market, which is considered one of the company's key growth drivers. The data reinforces this trend: in 2025, the group flew over 250,000 passengers between Kazakhstan and China, a jump of about 96% compared to the previous year.
The new route to Shanghai is expected to continue strengthening connectivity between the countries, for both business travelers and tourists, and to expand the range of flights between Kazakhstan and the developing Chinese market.
Tickets are available for reservation on the company's website and app.