Mumbai: Kazakhstan’s flag carrier Air Astana commenced the first direct flight connecting Almaty and Mumbai. The airline will operate on the route thrice a week to strengthen the connection between both countries.
On Sunday, Air Astana commenced the first non-stop flight between Kazakhstan’s largest city Almaty and Mumbai using its Airbus 320. The first flight from Almaty arrived at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) on Sunday at 9.55am.
The airport authority welcomed the airline’s crew with garlands and lighting a lamp at the airport. The passengers arriving through the first direct flight from Almaty were also welcomed with flowers.
“It’s time to enjoy the ancient charm of modern-day Kazakhstan. Congratulations Air Astana on the exciting launch of your new route connecting Kazakhstan and Mumbai Airport. We at CSMIA are thrilled to be a part of this journey,” said Mumbai Airport welcoming the first flight.
Apart from its service to Delhi, Air Astana had announced the new flight to Mumbai on January 29. Flight KC291 will be operated every Sunday from Almaty at 4.35am and will reach Mumbai at 9.55am. The return flight KC292 will depart from Mumbai at 11am and will reach Almaty at 2.45pm.
The flight on Wednesday will depart from Almaty at 9.05am and reach Mumbai at 2.25pm, which will return at 3.25pm and reach Almaty at 7.25pm. The Thursday flight will leave Almaty at 8.20pm and reach Mumbai at 1.40am on Friday, which will again return at 2.40am to reach Almaty at 6.35am.
This flight has become the only direct flight on the route other than Air Astana’s Almaty-Delhi sector, which is operated daily apart from IndiGo’s daily service.
“Air Astana celebrates the 20th anniversary of the first flight from Kazakhstan to India with the launch of a new route Almaty-Mumbai,” the airline had said during the announcement of the flight.
