Kazakhstan's FlyArystan launches Almaty-Xi'an flight

Kazakhstan's low-cost carrier FlyArystan announced a new scheduled service between Almaty and the northwestern Chinese city of Xi'an on Wednesday, marking the airline's fourth route to China as it expands connections between Central Asia and the world's second-largest economy.

The inaugural Flight FS7865, operated by an Airbus A320, landed at Xi'an Xianyang International Airport early on Wednesday after departing from Almaty. Airport authorities in Xi'an marked the arrival with a traditional water-cannon salute.

The new service will operate twice weekly. Flights from Almaty depart on Tuesdays and Fridays, while return services from Xi'an operate on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

The new route is FlyArystan's fourth service linking Kazakhstan and China, following routes between Astana and Urumqi, capital of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, Almaty and Yining in Xinjiang, and Aktau and Urumqi.

The launch comes as China and Central Asia deepen transport links and economic cooperation. Direct air services between China and Central Asia have expanded in recent years to support growing trade, tourism and business exchanges.

FlyArystan, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Air Astana Group, began commercial operations in 2019 and started operating as an independent airline under its own air operator certificate in January 2025.