Kazakhstan-based airline FlyArystan recently launched twice-weekly passenger flights to Delhi, marking a significant milestone as it becomes the first low-cost carrier to serve an Indian city. The air carrier has launched operations connecting Shymkent in Kazakhstan to Delhi. The commencement of the new route was made possible due to recent changes in visa requirements between the two countries
Visa relaxations for Indians
While Kazakh travellers still need to obtain a visa to enter India, Indian citizens can now travel to Kazakhstan without a visa for up to 14 calendar days for business, private, and tourism purposes, as per the updated regulations.
Pom Komutanont, the Chief Operating Officer of FlyArystan, highlighted the positive impact of this visa change on passenger numbers. He said, "Since the cancellation of the visa regime for Indian citizens to enter Kazakhstan, the flow of tourists has increased significantly therefore, we decided to fill the need of passengers to travel between countries pursuing our main goal, providing affordable, convenient, and high-quality air transportation options."
The airline announced its intention to operate this route last month and currently offers two weekly flights between the cities. The flights operate on Mondays and Thursdays, utilizing an Airbus A320 aircraft from FlyArystan's fleet. The aircraft is configured in an all-economy class layout, accommodating 180 passengers.
All about FlyArystan's twice-weekly flights to Delhi
Adding to its expanding list of international destinations, Delhi has become FlyArystan's eighth international route. It currently serves Istanbul and Ankara in Turkey, Kutaisi in Georgia, Baku in Azerbaijan, Samarkand in Uzbekistan, Yerevan in Armenia, and Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan.
The newly introduced service will have a flight duration of approximately three hours to cover the 1,043-mile (1,669 km) route.
FlyArystan's domestic flights originating from Almaty, Astana, Atyrau, Aktau, Aktobe, Kostanay, and Semey also provide convenient connections in Shymkent for travellers seeking to fly to Delhi. This allows residents from various regions of Kazakhstan to access the Indian destination easily.
The airline also announced that Indian residents can now enjoy direct flights from Delhi to the charming city of Shymkent, which has gained popularity among international tourists, mainly due to its proximity to Turkestan, the spiritual and cultural hub of the country.
