OREANDA-NEWS.  KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will expand its long-haul services to Kazakhstan by combining the current Almaty flights with service to the capital Astana. Service on the Amsterdam-Almaty-Astana route will start on 3 May 2016.

Service to Almaty and Astana will be operated four times per week (Tuesdays, Wednesday, Fridays and Sundays), starting on 3 May, as a circle flight: twice weekly from Amsterdam via Astana to Almaty and back to Amsterdam (Tuesdays and Fridays) and twice weekly from Amsterdam via Almaty to Astana and back to Amsterdam (Wednesdays and Sundays).

The flights will be operated by an Airbus A330-200. KLM will cater to customer requirements by offering three different passenger classes aboard the aircraft: 30 seats in World Business Class, 35 seats in Economy Comfort, and 178 seats in Economy Class. Economy Comfort Class offers 10 cm more legroom, double-reclining seats and priority de-boarding.

About Astana
Founded in 1830, Astana (which means ‘capital’ in Kazakh) has been the capital of Kazakhstan since 1997, taking over from Almaty. It has a population of around 835.000. Astana is home to the Parliament House, the Ak Orda Presidential Palace, the Supreme Court, and numerous government departments and agencies. Astana also has numerous modern buildings, including the Khan Shatyr shopping centre and the landmark building Bayterek Tower. Astana will be hosting the Expo 2017.

Flight schedule Amsterdam-Astana-Almaty (local times)
From 3 May, this circle flight will depart on Tuesdays and Fridays from Amsterdam at 15.10 CET, arriving in Astana at 00.50 local time. It will depart for Almaty at 02.00 local time, arriving there at 03.45 local time. The flight will then leave Almaty at 05.10 local time, arriving in Amsterdam at 08.15 CET.

Flight schedule Amsterdam-Almaty-Astana (local times)
From 4 May, this circle flight will depart on Wednesdays and Sundays from Amsterdam at 15.10 CET, arriving in Almaty at 01.40 local time. It will depart from Almaty at 03.05 local time, arriving in Astana at 04.55 local time. The flight will then leave Astana at 06.10 local time, arriving in Amsterdam at 08.15 CET.