Cathay Pacific and Air Astana bring Hong Kong, Kazakhstan and the world closer together

Tuesday 6th March 2018

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New codeshare partnership will offer greater choice and seamless connections to customers of both airlines through Hong Kong and Almaty

Cathay Pacific and Air Astana today announced an agreement that will enhance travel options for Cathay Pacific customers travelling to and from Kazakhstan and for Air Astana customers travelling to and from Asia and Australia via the airlines' hubs in Hong Kong and Almaty respectively.

Commencing 15 March 2018, Cathay Pacific will place its "CX" code on Air Astana's non-stop flights between Hong Kong and Almaty, the financial and cultural heart of Central Asia, as well as on connecting services between Almaty and Astana, the Kazakh capital.

Air Astana currently flies twice weekly between Hong Kong and Almaty, on Tuesdays and Fridays, but will be upping frequency by adding a third service, on Mondays, from 25 March.

Cathay Pacific will also codeshare on Air Astana's five weekly services between Bangkok* and Almaty (going daily from 25 March) and four weekly services between Seoul and Almaty, giving customers additional options for travel between Hong Kong and Kazakhstan. 

Air Astana will place its "KC" code on selected Cathay Pacific services operating between Hong Kong and Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Singapore.

Cathay Pacific Director Commercial and Cargo Ronald Lam welcomed the codeshare partnership, saying it underlined the airline's commitment to establishing convenient connections to captivating new destinations.

"We are delighted to join with Air Astana and provide our customers with links to one of the most fascinating countries in Central Asia. With its vibrant economy, which is set to grow as a result of its integral role in the Belt and Road Initiative, and beautiful natural landscapes, Kazakhstan has many attractions for both business and leisure travellers alike," he said.

Richard Ledger, Vice President Marketing and Sales at Air Astana, commented: "With its excellent worldwide connectivity, Cathay Pacific is our ideal partner as we look to extend our reach across Asia and Australia via Hong Kong. Together, our airlines share an award-winning reputation for consistently delivering the very highest standards of customer service.

"We are thrilled to strengthen co-operation with this wide-reaching codeshare agreement, which will further benefit our respective passengers, as well as the overall economic relationship between Kazakhstan and dynamic Hong Kong."

Tickets for the new codeshare flights are now available for sale at:  

www.cathaypacific.com and www.airastana.com

About Air Astana

Air Astana, the national carrier of Kazakhstan, operates flights to over 60 domestic and international routes from hubs in Astana and Almaty. The company was incorporated in late 2001 and commenced operations on 15 May 2002. Air Astana fleet consists of Boeing 767, 757, Airbus A319, A320, A320neo, A321, A321neo and Embraer 190 aircraft. Air Astana became the first carrier from Russia, the Commonwealth of Independent States (the CIS) and Eastern Europe to be awarded the prestigious 4-Star rating by Skytrax at its World Airline Awards 2012 and was also named 'The Best Airline in Central Asia and India' that year. Both achievements were repeated in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

About Cathay Pacific

The Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific Group offers scheduled passenger and cargo services to over 200 destinations in Asia, North America, Australia, Europe and Africa, using a fleet of close to 200 aircraft. Cathay Pacific is a member of the Swire group and is a public company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.  Cathay Pacific is a founding member of the oneworld global alliance and its wholly owned subsidiary Cathay Dragon is an affiliate member.