Air Astana Opens New Route to Tbilisi

Exactly four years after the first Almaty-Tbilisi flight, Air Astana Airlines launched a new route that will link the capitals of Kazakhstan and Georgia. Zurab Pataradze, Georgian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Kazakhstan and Yerbol Ospanov, Senior Vice President Government, Regulatory Affairs and Security of Air Astana flew by the first direct flight from Astana to Tbilisi on June 2.

Since 2011, Air Astana has been operating regular flights between Almaty and Tbilisi five times a week and transferring more than 120,000 passengers. Following a long analysis of passenger flow and tourist needs, which showed that the interest in Georgia from Astana has increased dramatically in the last few years, the company decided to launch the new route. The service from Astana to Tbilisi is operated by an Embraer E190 (9 Business Class/ 88 Economy class seating configuration) every Tuesday and Saturday.

“We decided to start with flights twice a week, but we have all opportunities to increase that number. Today we have the first flight and the plane was filled by 98% - it is a great indicator. For comparison, a month ago we opened an Astana – Paris route, where we still have just 48% of passengers. Also, last night we launched an Astana - Seoul flight, where we have fewer passengers again, so Tbilisi is a definitely leader,” said Ospanov

One of the most important reasons for opening an Astana-Tbilisi route was the desire to meet the needs of loyal customers who had to fly frequently with transfers. The new direct flight will save time as well as money. According to Berik Abdrakhmanov, Country Manager of Air Astana in Georgia, the company has very flexible pricing and if you purchase tickets in advance, the two way ticket price will be around 350 USD.

Ambassador Pataradze noted that a direct flight between Astana – Tbilisi would be a link to establishing closer relations between the two countries. “Our countries have very close business, economic, cultural and humanitarian relations. Direct flights facilitate rapprochement between the peoples and travel opportunities for tourists and businessmen,” he said.

Pataradze particularly emphasized the importance of cultural relations. “Due to this route, soon we will have several cultural events. A few days ago Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theatre visited Astana. Soon we are going to hold Georgian days, a Wine Festival, and arrange exhibitions, film screenings and other cultural events in the capital of Kazakhstan, so this direct flight to Astana will greatly support us,” stated the Ambassador.

“We are very pleased that Air Astana, the leading airline in Central Asia, will carry out flights on the route Astana-Tbilisi-Astana from today,” said Mete Erkal, General Manager of TAV Georgia. “We welcome any new directions to Tbilisi and Batumi International Airports, because new routes always contribute to tourism development in the country and significantly increase the number of visitors.”

Eka Karsaulidze