Air China expands Kazakhstan footprint with Chengdu-Almaty launch

:: Airbus

Air China has deepened its footprint in Central Asia with the launch of a new non-stop service between Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU) and Almaty International Airport (ALA), Kazakhstan, which took off on December 30, 2025.

The move complements the carrier’s existing flights from Beijing to both Almaty and Astana, diversifying its service beyond China’s capital.

Operating twice weekly with Airbus A320 family aircraft, new flight connects Sichuan’s bustling aviation hub with Kazakhstan’s largest city and commercial heart for the first time.

Until now, Air China’s services to Kazakhstan have been channeled through Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), a major gateway for diplomatic and business traffic.

The addition of Chengdu – a key hub under China’s “Belt and Road” initiative and the largest city in western China – allows the carrier to capture origin traffic from China’s southwestern and central regions.

Last summer, Air China entered the Uzbekistan market, launching direct flights to Tashkent from both Beijing and Urumqi.