appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Wynna Wong

Cathay Pacific Airways will launch direct passenger flights between Hong Kong and Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city, in January, making it the airline’s first Central Asian destination and establishing the only non-stop service between the two locations.
The three-times-weekly service will begin on January 9 next year. Flights will operate every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, subject to regulatory approval, the airline said.
The outbound flight will depart Hong Kong at 4.25pm and arrive in Almaty at 8.30pm local time. The return flight will leave the Kazakh city at 9.50pm and land in Hong Kong at 7am the following day.
The flights, operated by Airbus A330-300 widebody aircraft, will take about six to seven hours each way, compared with the usual journey time of 10 to 14 hours, depending on the length of the layover.
Flights are already available for purchase on Cathay’s website.

A check by the South China Morning Post found that one-way fares from Hong Kong to Almaty on January 9 started at HK$2,296 (US$293) for economy class and HK$14,476 for business class, including carrier fees, taxes and other surcharges.
Cathay said Almaty, Kazakhstan’s commercial and cultural capital, was an important gateway to Central Asia and offered opportunities to expand trade, business and tourism.
“The addition of Almaty to the Cathay Group’s network further reinforces its commitment to strengthening Hong Kong’s position as a leading international aviation hub and enhancing connectivity with important markets along the belt and road,” it said, referring to Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative to improve trade and economic integration across Asia, Africa and Europe.
Hong Kong previously had direct flights to Almaty operated by Air Astana.
The new direct service comes after a trade delegation led by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu travelled to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in June, with the aim of opening up new bilateral business opportunities.


Cathay Pacific retains third-best airline title, wins cabin crew and lounge awards

Hong Kong targets 240 air destinations by 2030, eyeing new Uzbekistan routes

Hong Kong’s new training visa could be available in first quarter of 2027

Hong Kong finance chief urges Cathay to keep fares attractive, add routes

Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific to launch direct flights between Hong Kong and Almaty in January

Cathay Pacific will launch three weekly direct flights between Hong Kong and Almaty in Kazakhstan in January. Photo: Getty Images

The new Almaty route will be the only non-stop passenger service between Hong Kong and Kazakhstan. Photo: Elson Li

Cathay Pacific posts 71% profit rise to HK$6.24 billion in first half of year

A Cathay Pacific plane takes off from Hong Kong International Airport in May this year. Photo: Elson Li

A Cathay Pacific cargo plane parked at Hong Kong International Airport in Chek Lap Kok. Photo: May Tse

Cathay to raise passenger fuel surcharges by up to 41% amid Middle East tensions

Cathay Pacific Airways will raise fuel surcharges by up to 41 per cent on most passenger flights from August. Photo: May Tse

Tensions between the United States and Iran have escalated after a June ceasefire collapsed. Photo: AFP 

News

Hong Kong

Hong Kong Economy

Transport

Airline will operate the only non-stop service between Hong Kong and Kazakhstan’s largest city three times a week, with economy fares from HK$2,296


Airline will operate the only non-stop service between Hong Kong and Kazakhstan’s largest city three times a week, with economy fares from HK$2,296.


Cathay Pacific to launch direct flights between Hong Kong and Almaty in January

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Airline will operate the only non-stop service between Hong Kong and Kazakhstan’s largest city three times a week, with economy fares from HK$2,296

Airline will operate the only non-stop service between Hong Kong and Kazakhstan’s largest city three times a week, with economy fares from HK$2,296