FlyArystan launches direct Astana–Yining flights

Kazakhstan’s budget airline FlyArystan has launched direct flights between Astana and Yining in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Eurasianet said. The route operates three times weekly, bringing its network between Kazakhstan and Xinjiang to 4 routes.

Qazinform said the inaugural flight took place on 26 October 2026. Its launch account gives the regular operating days as Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. In its 13 August announcement, FlyArystan had planned flights on Wednesdays and Saturdays starting 28 October 2026.

The connection follows FlyArystan’s Almaty–Yining service, which the airline says it opened in May 2025 as the first Kazakhstani carrier on that direct route. FlyArystan says the route saw steady demand in its first year and its frequency was increased to four weekly flights in 2026. In its 13 August announcement, FlyArystan said its expansion that year also included resumed Astana–Urumqi flights and new Aktau–Urumqi, Almaty–Xi’an and Almaty–Chongqing routes.

Travel opportunities and further routes

FlyArystan President Johan Eidhagen said the new connection offers more opportunities for business travel, tourism and visits to relatives, in the airline’s announcement carried by Kazakhstan Today.

FlyArystan says it has become the largest foreign airline operating in Xinjiang. Eidhagen also said the airline plans to launch additional routes in the region, without naming the routes or setting launch dates.