Kazakh regional carrier Qazaq Air launches two international flights, discontinues one

As part of the transition to the new brand, the airline’s new website vietjetqazaqstan.kz was launched on November 11

Kazakhstan’s Qazaq Air (trading under Vietjet Qazaqstan) – which remains a 100% regional carrier at this time – has launched two international routes to key Central Asian cities from the country’s capital, while canceling one route from the region.

On November 10, Qazaq Air operated its first direct flight from Astana to Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. Regular flights on this route will operate twice a week using De Havilland Q400 regional turboprop.

On November 7, the airline launched nonstop flights from Astana to Samarkand, the second largest city in Uzbekistan. The flights will operate twice weekly using a Q400.

Until recently, Qazaq Air served Samarkand from Turkestan, while connecting it to Astana. With the launch of direct flights between major cities, the Turkestan-Samarkand flight was discontinued.

“For the first time in our modern history, we are launching a direct flight between Astana and Samarkand. The last time passengers flew on this route was during the Soviet era,”

said Adilbek Umraliev, Qazaq Air Chairman of the Board.

The launch of international flights to major cities in neighboring countries is believed to be part of the airline’s preparations for expanding its route network. It intends to do so when its fleet will be expanded by Boeing 737MAX jets. It currently operates five De Havilland Q400 turboprops.

Qazaq Air was acquired by the Vietnamese conglomerate Sovico Group earlier this year, and in May, the new investors renamed the carrier Vietjet Qazaqstan https://t.me/centralasiaplusaero/1927 . It is expected to transition to a low-cost model.

According to the airline, without providing specific figures, its passenger traffic increased by 13% from January to September this year.

The passenger load factor reached 89%. Punctuality in September increased to 87.53%.

The digital platform offers modern tools for planning and purchasing air tickets, the airline emphasized.