Air Astana and Japan Airlines Partner to Enhance Connectivity Between Kazakhstan and Japan

(IN SHORT) Air Astana and Japan Airlines (JAL) have signed a codeshare agreement to enhance connectivity between Kazakhstan and Japan. The partnership will allow passengers to book flights on both airlines for a seamless travel experience, particularly with the launch of a new Almaty-Tokyo route in spring 2026. This agreement marks a significant expansion for JAL into Central Asia and strengthens the long-standing diplomatic ties between the two nations. The collaboration will also boost the flow of people and goods between Japan and Kazakhstan.

(PRESS RELEASE) Tokyo, Japan, 2024-Aug-22 — /Travel PR News/ — Air Astana, Kazakhstan’s leading airline, and Japan Airlines (JAL) have entered into a strategic partnership through a newly signed codeshare agreement. This collaboration marks a significant milestone, allowing the two airlines to broaden their networks and offer seamless travel options between Japan and Kazakhstan, particularly with the launch of a new Almaty-Tokyo route scheduled for spring 2026.

Kazakhstan, recognized for its vast landscape and robust economy in Central Asia, has seen increasing economic ties with Japan, celebrating over 30 years of diplomatic relations. With Air Astana holding a dominant position in both international and domestic markets within Kazakhstan, this partnership with JAL represents a major expansion opportunity for the Japanese carrier into Central Asia, a previously uncharted territory in its network.

Peter Foster, CEO of Air Astana, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “Collaborating with Japan Airlines is a significant step forward in enhancing our global reach. This partnership will provide our customers with more travel options and a seamless experience between Kazakhstan and Japan.”

Mitsuko Tottori, CEO of Japan Airlines, shared similar sentiments, noting, “This agreement with Air Astana strengthens our commitment to fostering stronger ties between Japan and Kazakhstan. We look forward to contributing to the development of passenger and cargo traffic between our two nations, further enhancing our long-standing diplomatic relationship.”

The codeshare agreement will cover a range of routes, including the new Almaty-Tokyo service and select domestic routes within Kazakhstan and Japan. The partnership is expected to boost the flow of people and goods between the two countries, offering more convenient and efficient travel solutions for passengers.

Both airlines are committed to continually improving their services and expanding their networks to provide the best possible experience for their customers. Further details on the specific routes and schedules will be announced closer to the launch date.

For more information on the upcoming services and codeshare details, passengers are encouraged to visit the official websites of Air Astana and Japan Airlines.

About Japan Airlines
Japan Airlines (JAL), Japan’s first private aviation company, was established in 1951 and is a member of the oneworld Alliance. The airline operates a fleet of 227 aircraft (as of March 2024) and began renewing its international long-haul aircraft with the Airbus A350-1000 starting 2023 Winter Schedule. Together with other JAL Group and partner airlines, JAL offers an extensive domestic and international network that serves 384 airports across 66 countries/regions. The airline has received numerous accolades for its exceptional service, including being recognized as a certified 5-Star Airline by Skytrax and being awarded the prestigious “World Class” Airline title by APEX, the Airline Passenger Experience Association. The airline is dedicated to ensuring the highest standards of flight safety and overall service quality, striving to be the most preferred airline by customers worldwide.

For details and to learn more, visit JAL’s official website at https://www.jal.com/en/

About Air Astana
Air Astana Group is the largest airline group in Central Asia and the Caucasus regions by revenue and fleet size. The Group operates a fleet of 55 aircraft split between Air Astana, its full-service airline that operated its inaugural flight in 2002, and FlyArystan, its low-cost airline established in 2019. The Group provides scheduled, point-to-point and transit, short-haul and long-haul air travel and cargo on domestic, regional and international routes across Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Far East, the Middle East, India and Europe. Air Astana was recognised twelve times in a row as the “Best Airline in Central Asia and CIS” at the Skytrax World Airline Awards and received a five-star rating in the major airline category by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX). The Group is listed on the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange, Astana International Exchange and London Stock Exchange.

For details and to learn more, visit Air Astana’s official website at www.airastana.com

Media Contact: 

mediarelations.hdq@jal.com

Source: Japan Airlines

###