ALMATY, Kazakhstan, 2 November 2026: Air Astana has signed a joint venture agreement with China Southern Airlines to strengthen air connectivity between Kazakhstan and China.
The agreement marks the first airline joint venture between the two countries, building on the airlines’ established codeshare partnership and creating a platform for deeper commercial cooperation.
Under the agreement, the two airlines will coordinate flight schedules, expand codeshare services, and undertake joint marketing initiatives.
By bringing their respective networks and commercial frameworks closer together, the partnership aims to make journeys across both airlines more straightforward, with more consistent travel conditions, smoother transfers, and greater access to destinations across Kazakhstan, China, and beyond.
“The number of flights between our countries has increased by 52% compared with the same period in 2025 (117 scheduled flights per week across 21 routes),” said Republic of Kazakhstan Deputy Minister of Transport Talgat Lastaev. “Since the start of 2026, more than one million passengers have been carried. The Ministry plans to further expand the route network with China, increasing it to 30 destinations”.
Air Astana VP Partnerships and Alliances Richard Ledger noted: “China is a strategically important market for Air Astana, and Kazakhstan is well positioned as a gateway connecting Europe and Asia. Our joint venture with China Southern Airlines represents an important step in developing this role and deepening our commercial relationship with one of China’s leading carriers. By combining our complementary networks and aligning key aspects of our commercial offering, we aim to provide passengers with greater choice, more convenient connections and more consistent conditions and rules across both airlines.”
China Southern Airlines EVP Zeng Yongchao added: “China and Kazakhstan are important partners under the Belt and Road framework. For passengers, the most tangible benefit is greater convenience: more flight options, smoother transfer procedures, and a more seamless travel experience.”
Air Astana operates flights from Astana and Almaty to Urumqi, Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai, offering up to 36 weekly regular return flights during the peak season. China Southern Airlines operates flights from Urumqi, Beijing, Guangzhou and Xi’an to Almaty and Astana, offering up to 29 weekly regular return flights during the peak season. Together, the airlines provide an extensive network of services between the two countries, creating a strong foundation for further improvements in connectivity, travel convenience and passenger choice.
The partnership will support the development of business, tourism, education and family travel between the two countries, while strengthening connectivity for passengers connecting onwards through Kazakhstan and China to destinations across the airlines’ respective networks.
(Source: Air Astana Group)
