Air Astana and China Southern Airlines have formalised a joint venture, marking the first such partnership between carriers from Kazakhstan and China. The agreement, signed in Almaty, builds on the existing codeshare relationship and is designed to deepen commercial ties across the two markets.
The joint venture will coordinate flight schedules, expand codeshare services, and introduce joint marketing campaigns. For passengers, the aim is simpler transfers, consistent service standards across both airlines, and a broader choice of onward connections through Kazakhstan and China.
Strategic gateway role
Kazakhstan's Deputy Minister of Transport, Talgat Lastaev, highlighted the rapid growth in bilateral air travel, noting a 52% increase in flights between the two countries compared with the same period in 2025. He also outlined plans to expand the route network to 30 destinations, underscoring the government's commitment to positioning Kazakhstan as a key transit hub.
Richard Ledger, Vice President of Partnerships and Alliances at Air Astana, stressed China's strategic importance as a market and Kazakhstan's role as a gateway between Europe and Asia. "This joint venture is about giving passengers more choices and convenient connections while responding to real travel demand," he said.
Zeng Yongchao, Executive Vice President of China Southern Airlines, framed the partnership as a strategic move under the Belt and Road initiative. "We are strengthening aviation connectivity and providing more flight options and a seamless travel experience for our customers," he added.
The collaboration is expected to support business, tourism, education, and family travel between the two countries. It will also improve onward connections through both carriers' extensive networks, which include hubs in Almaty, Astana, Beijing, and Guangzhou.
Industry analysts see the joint venture as a significant step for Central Asia–China aviation, potentially setting a template for other carriers in the region. The move comes as airlines worldwide seek closer partnerships to optimise capacity and capture growing demand on key international corridors.
For travel professionals, the expanded codeshare and schedule alignment will simplify itinerary planning and ticketing across the two carriers. Agents and corporate travel managers can expect more seamless connections for clients travelling between Europe, Central Asia, and China.
The joint venture also aligns with broader trends in the region, including capacity growth on China routes and the expansion of new international links from Chinese gateways. As Kazakhstan and China deepen their aviation ties, the partnership is poised to enhance the competitiveness of both carriers in the long-haul market.
