Air Astana’s stopovers take-off

Kazakhstan carrier spreads its wings

By Neelam Mathews / December 08, 2014

Air Astana, new services to Bangkok and Paris

The Stopover Holidays programme launched by Air Astana Holidays, a division of Kazakhstan’s largest carrier, Air Astana, in October last year, is proving popular for some of the 100,000 transit passengers to Almaty and Astana.

Air Astana, new services to Bangkok and Paris

The two-day package provides visitors with hotel accommodation, including breakfast at a choice of hotels, arrival and departure airport transfers by private car and optional half-day sightseeing tours in the two cities. 

 

The two-day package provides visitors with hotel accommodation, including breakfast at a choice of hotels, arrival and departure airport transfers by private car and optional half-day sightseeing tours in the two cities. 

Richard Ledger, vice president worldwide sales, says, “There are flows we would not have sold otherwise.” 

In summer, activities on the package include cycling in Almaty and in winter, skiing at a nearby ski resort.

As the rouble, the currency of Kazakhstan’s main partner Russia, continues to be under pressure, Air Astana is increasingly looking at new destinations. Korea is booming, as is Hong Kong. The carrier recently re-launched to Dubai. 

A new service from Astana to Bangkok starts from December 15. Starting March 29, it will launch three-weekly flights to Paris.

Kazakhstan’s recently introduced Visa Waiver Programme, in place for 10 countries, will help make Almaty an increasingly popular destination, Peter Foster, president and CEO Air Astana, told Travel Weekly. 

The initial  visa-free regime applies to citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Malaysia, Netherlands, UAE, Korea and Japan.