Turkistan International Airport in southern Kazakhstan has welcomed the arrival of low-cost carrier FlyArystan from Nur-Sultan, the Kazakhstan capital. Services to Turkistan’s brand-new airport were officially launched at a ribbon-cutting event attended by Air Astana Group President, Peter Foster; the Chairman of the Civil Aviation Committee, Talgat Lastayev; Deputy Oblas Akim, Arman Zhetpisbay; and the Chairman of YDA Group, Huseyin Arslan; as well as the Deputy Chairman of the YDA holding Cuneyt Arslan.
“Turkistan is the spiritual capital of Kazakhstan, which is visited annually by thousands of tourists,” said Foster, commenting on FlyArystan becoming the first carrier to operate services between the two hubs. “With the opening of the Turkistan International Airport and the launch of flights on safe and modern FlyArystan aircraft, the landmarks of the ancient Silk Road such as the mausoleum of Ahmet Yassawi, the mausoleum of Arystan Baba, the town of Otrar, the cave of Ak Meshit, Kara Ungir waterfalls and many other historical places will become more accessible,” Foster added. He also encouraged more tourists to “discover the amazing beauty and heritage of Kazakhstan.”
Speaking on behalf of the YDA Group which constructed the new airport, Arslan said: “We are pleased to welcome FlyArystan and the first passengers at the Turkistan International Airport, which was built in just 11 months and has become the second project successfully implemented by YDA Group in Kazakhstan. In 2007, YDA Group built and set in operation an airport in Aktau. We believe our brand-new airport will contribute to development of tourism and prosperity of the Turkistan region and Kazakhstan.”
Twice-weekly flights from Nur-Sultan to Turkistan will start from as little as US$16.50 and will be operated on an Airbus A320 aircraft on Tuesdays and Fridays. Direct flights from Almaty to Turkistan also launched on 5 December and will operate twice a week on Mondays and Sundays.
