Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
XI’AN, July 4 (Xinhua) — A direct flight service between Xi’an, capital of northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, and Shymkent in Kazakhstan was launched on Thursday. The first flight departed Xi’an at 2:47 a.m. Beijing time and arrived in Shymkent at 4:50 a.m. local time. The flight was operated by Kazakhstan’s Scat Airlines.
Xi’an Airport reports a significant increase in passenger traffic to and from Central Asia this year. In the first half of the year alone, over 78,000 passengers and 700 flights were handled, up 40 percent and 19 percent, respectively, compared to the same period last year.
The launch of a direct flight will reduce travel time from 12 to 5 hours between Xi’an and Shymkent, two cities linked by historical relations and active trade and economic exchanges and serving as important hubs within the Belt and Road initiative.
Thus, Xi’an Airport also strengthens its position as a regional aviation hub and contributes to the expansion of the “air bridge” between China and Central Asia. Currently, the airport serves 58 international passenger routes, including 18 weekly flights to Central Asian countries. -0-