QazaqAir Introduces Air Service from Astana to Turkistan and Samarkand on Unity Day
Flying high across Central Asia: QazaqAir launches Astana-Turkistan-Samarkand route
step up your travel game, as QazaqAir introduces a brand new international flight route connecting Nur-Sultan (formerly known as Astana), Turkistan in Kazakhstan, and Samarkand in Uzbekistan!
Say hello to history, culture, and commerce as this route completes the trifecta of cites rich in heritage and economic potential. Adilbek Umraliev, Acting Chairman of QazaqAir, underscores the importance of the route's launch, highlighting the historical, trade, and economic ties between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, rooted in their geographic proximity and shared Central Asian heritage.
Both countries have always been intertwined, forming part of various empires and khanates like the Kazakh Khanate and the Timurid Empire, based in Samarkand. This historical relationship further developed during the Russian Empire and Soviet Union, with both countries integrated into a common political and economic space. After gaining independence in the early 1990s, the ties evolved even further, with these Central Asian neighbors becoming key players in regional dynamics, balancing relationships with major powers like Russia and China, while fostering regional cooperation.
Fast forward to the present, and the stage is set for an empowering economic exchange. Uzbekistan exports crucial goods to Kazakhstan, including cotton, natural gas, and textiles, while receiving natural resources and manufactured products. These trade dynamics, in turn, have led to increased bilateral investment and expansive economic cooperation as part of broader regional integration efforts. The economic prowess of Kazakhstan, a regional powerhouse, combined with Uzbekistan’s market reforms under President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and its strategic location, make these nations significant players in Central Asia's economic sphere, accounting for over two-thirds of the region's combined GDP and population.
Andrew Cowen, Chairman of QazaqAir, puts it plainly: this new route signifies the strategic importance of enhancing connectivity between the two countries. The route offers a quick, direct connection to Samarkand from Astana and Turkistan, two cities steeped in history and brimming with cultural significance. With travel opportunities three days a week, it's never been easier to explore all three cities in one go.
Not only does this route boost people-to-people contact, tourism, and business exchanges, but it also strengthens the transport networks supporting broader trade and economic cooperation. By reducing travel time and improving accessibility, this new connection fosters regional integration initiatives, linking Kazakhstan’s political and economic centers with Uzbekistan’s historical and trade hubs like Samarkand, paving the way for deeper economic ties and greater Central Asian unity.
In the end, QazaqAir's new flight route is a win-win for both nations, embracing the rich histories, vibrant cultures, and promising economic futures of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. So get ready to pack your bags and venture into the heart of Central Asia. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and this first step takes you straight into the realms of history and opportunity.
Explore the history-laden cities of Central Asia with ease, as QazaqAir's new flight route connects Astana, Turkistan, and Samarkand, offering a unique blend of lifestyle and travel experiences. By shortening travel time and enhancing accessibility, this route not only encourages people-to-people contact and tourism but also bolsters trade and economic cooperation, fostering a stronger sense of regional unity.
