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HONG KONG, Jan. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Hong Kong Airlines has signed a codeshare agreement with Air Astana. Under the agreement, Hong Kong Airlines customers can now travel with Air Astana to Almaty in Kazakhstan, while Air Astana customers get the opportunity to book tickets of both airlines to reach Hong Kong Airlines' destinations in China, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan and Vietnam.
The details of the codeshared flights are as follows:
| Route |
Flight No. |
Departure* |
Arrival* |
Frequency |
| Hong Kong (HKG) - Almaty (ALA) |
HX1929 / KC929 |
00:35 |
08:25 |
Every Tuesday and Friday |
| Almaty (ALA) - Hong Kong (HKG) |
HX1930 / KC930 |
09:40 |
14:55 |
*Note: All departures and arrivals are listed in local time
Air Astana operates services to Hong Kong twice weekly (Tuesdays and Fridays) with a Boeing 757 configured with 16 Business Class and 150 Economy Class seats. The flight time from Hong Kong to Almaty is 7 hours 15 minutes. The service was launched in August 2012 and since then Air Astana has carried 74,000 passengers and 1,300 tons of cargo on the route.
Mr Li Dianchun, Chief Commercial Officer of Hong Kong Airlines, said: "We are delighted to start our partnership with Air Astana to extend our network further to Almaty, the trading and cultural hub of Kazakhstan. This marks another step for Hong Kong Airlines into Central Asia, and is also our first codeshare agreement in 2016. The two airlines have a lot in common, for example, both are young and committed to delivering quality products and service as Skytrax 4-Star airlines. I believe our passengers will enjoy the distinguished service provided by Air Astana."
Mr Ibrahim Canliel, Senior Vice President Marketing and Sales of Air Astana, said: "The codeshare agreement marks the strengthening of the link between Hong Kong and Kazakhstan, a route established in 2012. We are pleased to offer Hong Kong Airlines and their customers an enhanced network to Kazakhstan and our beyond network in Central Asia, Russia and Europe. With the introduction of the visa free regime for passport holders of HKSAR and the start of services, we have seen an increasing number of visitors to Kazakhstan. With the start of the codeshare, we aim to enhance the reach to even more customers in Hong Kong Airlines' home market and their beyond network offering a convenient gateway along the Silk Road to the Heart of Eurasia".
Hong Kong SAR passport holders are able to travel visa fee to Kazakhstan, as are Kazakh citizens visiting Hong Kong.
Tickets under the codeshare agreement for travel period from today onwards can be purchased via travel agents or through the airlines' sales offices and call centers.
About Hong Kong Airlines
Established in 2006, Hong Kong Airlines is a full-service airline firmly rooted in Hong Kong with a wide destination network covering 30 major cities across the Asia Pacific region, including Gold Coast, Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei, Sapporo, Bangkok, Bali and Okinawa. The current operating fleet is made up of 27 Airbus aircraft with an average age of around 3.4 years, consisting of 22 passenger aircraft and five freighters, being one of the youngest fleet in the world. Hong Kong Airlines has been awarded the internationally acclaimed 4-star rating from Skytrax since 2011. Adhering to the concept of "Fresh and Very Hong Kong", Hong Kong Airlines is committed to "Bringing Greater Journeys Sky High", and is dedicated to providing a pleasant and enjoyable journey to all passengers.
For more information, please visit:
Official website: www.hkairlines.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/hkairlines
Sina Weibo: weibo.com/hongkongairlines
WeChat and Instagram ID: hkairlines
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/hong-kong-airlines
About Air Astana
Air Astana started regular flights 15 May 2002 and now operates on a network of 60 international and domestic routes from hubs in Almaty and Astana. The fleet comprises 30 Boeing 767-300ER, Boeing 757-200, Airbus A320 and Embraer E190 aircraft. Air Astana became the first carrier from the CIS and Eastern Europe to be awarded 4-star rating and the Best Airline in Central Asia and India by international ratings agency, Skytrax in 2012. Both awards were achieved again in 2013, 2014 and 2015. Air Astana won the ATW Market Leader award in February 2015.
Air Astana is a joint venture between the National Welfare Fund of Kazakhstan "Samruk-Kazyna" and BAE Systems with respective shares of 51% and 49%.
