OREANDA-NEWS. April 09, 2013. Air Astana, Kazakhstan’s Skytrax award winning flag carrier, announces launch of new services from its major hubs Astana and Almaty to Kiev.

Air Astana continues expansion of its network by adding 2 new services effective from March 31, 2013. 4 hours flight from Kiev to Astana will be performed on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays using Embraer 190. Kiev to Almaty service will also be operated 3 times a week (Tuesdays/Fridays/Sundays) on Airbus A320 with flight durations of 5 hours.

The launch of 2 new services will bring total number of Air Astana international flights to 40.

“Air Astana continues to expand its regional route network with the launch of 2 new services from Kiev to Astana and Almaty effective from April 1st and March 31st respectively. Launch of these new flights to Ukraine that occupies a favorable geopolitical position in Eastern Europe, has a great strategic importance for the development of the airline especially as it aims to release potential traffic growth of passengers travelling between Western Europe and Asian region. In addition, direct flight between the capital of Ukraine and Kazakhstan's largest cities will strengthen bilateral political, trade and economic relations between the two countries. I’m sure that tourists of Kazakhstan will be attracted to visit the large variety of sightseeing offered by the capital of Kievan Rus while making their way to Europe using convenient connections. Yet, Ukrainians will be attracted to the young capital of Kazakhstan, Astana as well as to Almaty, the cultural and business centre of the country”, commented Peter Foster, President of Air Astana.

The cost of an economy return ticket from Kiev to Astana starts at 358 USD, including all airport taxes and other fees and from 1641 USD for business class. The cost of an economy return ticket from Kiev to Almaty starts at 372 USD, including all airport taxes and other fees and from 1645 USD for business class.

Astana is a capital city of Kazakhstan with beneficial geopolitical situation right in the heart of the country and the cross roads of the biggest transportation junctions. In 1998 by the decision of UNESCO Astana was awarded the title of World City and a medal. Today, Astana is the centre of Eurasia with architectural masterpieces and where the most daring projects are embodied. Almaty is the biggest city of the country also known as business, financial, economic and cultural centre of Kazakhstan. Erstwhile situated on the Silk Way the city is situated on the South East of Kazakhstan at the bottom of the picturesque mountains of Zailiyskiy Alatau, the most northern ridge of Tyan Shan mountains.