BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 3. Kazakhstan and
China are discussing the expansion of regional air connectivity,
including the launch of new routes and a potential joint regional
airline project using Chinese-made COMAC aircraft.
According to the Civil Aviation Committee of the Ministry of
Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the issue was discussed
during a meeting between Kazakhstan’s Vice Minister of Transport
Talgat Lastayev and Zhang Liang, Vice President of China’s Urumqi
Airlines.
During the talks, the Chinese airline presented plans to launch
regular flights on three new routes: Urumqi–Karaganda, Kuldzha
(Yining)–Astana and Kuldzha (Yining)–Almaty.
Kazakhstan’s side proposed considering additional routes
connecting China with Ust-Kamenogorsk and Semey, as well as future
services to the newly developing regional airports of Zaysan and
Katon-Karagai. According to the ministry, such routes could
contribute to tourism growth, improve transport accessibility and
strengthen trade and economic ties between the two countries.
The parties also discussed the possibility of establishing a
joint regional airline in Kazakhstan using COMAC aircraft produced
in China. The proposed carrier could operate regional routes,
including connections to Zaysan, Katon-Karagai and other
destinations with tourism potential.
"Urumqi Airlines operates Chinese-made COMAC C909 aircraft. The
parties discussed the possibility of a joint project to establish a
joint regional airline in Kazakhstan using COMAC aircraft for
regional flights, including routes to Zaysan, Katon-Karagay, and
other cities with tourism potential," the statement of the
committee says.
Following the meeting, both sides confirmed their interest in
further developing cooperation and implementing joint projects in
the civil aviation sector.
