Air Astana Marks 20 Years in India with Launch of Almaty–Mumbai Service

Air Astana has marked two decades of connecting Kazakhstan and India by launching a new thrice-weekly direct service between Almaty and Mumbai, beginning 20th April 2025. This new route strengthens ties between Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city, and Mumbai, India’s financial powerhouse.

Speaking at a celebratory event in Mumbai, Peter Foster, CEO of Air Astana Group, stated, “With the Indian economy growing strongly, Air Astana is delighted to launch services to Mumbai, a vibrant and flourishing metropolis driven by trade, finance and enterprise. Business and leisure travellers will now be able to experience the excellence of Air Astana’s in-services when flying between Kazakhstan’s and India’s most commercial cities.”

Air Astana Group is Central Asia and the Caucasus region’s largest airline group by fleet size and revenue. The group includes Air Astana, a full-service carrier launched in 2002, and FlyArystan, its low-cost subsidiary introduced in 2019. The group operates a total fleet of 60 aircraft.

Flight Details & Fares

Air Astana’s inaugural Mumbai-Almaty route features three weekly flights:

• Almaty → Mumbai: Wed 09:05 | Thu 20:20 | Sun 04:35
• Mumbai → Almaty: Wed 15:25 | Fri 02:40 | Sun 11:00
• Flight duration: 4 hours 20 minutes
• Return Fares: Business class from ₹89,682 (USD 1050) | Economy from ₹31,685 (USD 371)

The airline has operated flights to Delhi since 2004, now running up to 11 times weekly during the summer:

• DEL → ALA Flight duration: 3 hours
• Return Fares: Business class from ₹79,155 (USD 927) | Economy from ₹27,292 (USD 319)

Strategic Connectivity for Indian Travellers

Mumbai serves as a convenient hub for travelers from across South, West, and East India. Cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Surat, and Kolkata enjoy easy domestic connections to Mumbai, simplifying access to Central Asia.

With this launch, Air Astana now offers excellent connectivity from India not just to Kazakhstan, but also to cities like Bishkek, Tashkent, Tbilisi, Baku, and European destinations including Frankfurt and London via Almaty. The schedule suits leisure travel, corporate trips, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events), and educational travel.

Passenger Insights & Travel Trends

In 2024, 131,505 passengers flew the Almaty–Delhi–Almaty route with Air Astana:

• Nationality: 79% Indian | 12% Kazakh | Others include Russian (2%), Kyrgyz (1%), Uzbek (1%)
• Gender: 63% Male | 33% Female
• Age Profile: 43% aged 20–39 | 33% aged 40–59

Indian citizens enjoy visa-free access to Kazakhstan, while Kazakh citizens can obtain e-visas to India, often for purposes such as medical tourism, leisure, and Ayurveda retreats.

A Diverse Traveller Base

Air Astana welcomes a wide spectrum of Indian travelers — families, students (especially in medical universities across CIS), business professionals, solo explorers, wedding groups, and youth tourists — all drawn to the rich mix of culture, affordability, and adventure that Kazakhstan offers.

Almaty: A Gateway to Culture, Nature, and Adventure

Almaty is a thriving cultural and economic hub located at the base of the spectacular Tien Shan mountains. Known as the “City of Apples” — believed to be the birthplace of the modern apple — it is famous for the iconic Aport apple, a symbol of the city’s rich natural heritage. Almaty enchants visitors with its stunning mountain views, outdoor adventure options, charming parks, vibrant bazaars, and an ever-growing selection of Indian restaurants. Its cosmopolitan atmosphere, café culture, and natural beauty make it a perfect destination for Indian travelers looking to discover something fresh while still feeling at home.

With its commitment to service excellence, strategic connectivity, and a growing network, Air Astana continues to play a pivotal role in strengthening the bridge between India and Kazakhstan. The new Mumbai-Almaty route is more than just a flight path — it’s an invitation to explore new landscapes, deepen economic and cultural ties, and open doors to unique opportunities for travelers from both nations. As Air Astana marks 20 years of presence in India, this launch reinforces its vision of bringing the world closer, one destination at a time.

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