FlyArystan to launch Astana–Yining flights: schedule and dates announced

A new direct flight to China is coming. Starting October 26, 2026, Kazakhstan's low-cost airline FlyArystan will launch direct flights between Astana and Yining, also known as Kulja, a Chinese city with a large ethnic Kazakh community and longstanding cultural ties to Kazakhstan, DKNews.kz reports.

According to FlyArystan, the new route will operate three times a week. The service is expected to appeal to business travelers, tourists and passengers visiting relatives in China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

Astana–Yining flights to operate three times a week

The inaugural flight is scheduled for Monday, October 26, with an early morning departure from Kazakhstan's capital.

The flight schedule is as follows:

All times are local to the respective airports. Due to the time difference between Kazakhstan and China, the return flight appears to arrive in Astana earlier than its departure time from Yining.

Tickets can be checked on the official FlyArystan website. According to the airline, bookings are available for flights scheduled through March 27, 2027.

Astana joins Almaty with direct flights to Yining

Yining is not an entirely new destination for FlyArystan.

In May 2025, the airline launched direct flights between Almaty and the Chinese city, establishing an air connection with the Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture.

Now, passengers will also be able to travel directly from Astana.

For residents of Kazakhstan's capital, this means reaching Yining without having to arrange a connecting flight through another city.

The new service also strengthens FlyArystan's presence in a region with close historical, cultural and family ties to Kazakhstan.

Johan Eidhagen, president and chief executive officer of FlyArystan JSC, highlighted the importance of the new connection.

“The launch of the Astana–Yining route strengthens FlyArystan’s presence in China and complements the existing air connections between Kazakhstan and the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. This new route will be an important addition to our network, connecting Astana with a region that has longstanding cultural ties to our country. It will expand opportunities for business and leisure travel, as well as visits to family and friends. We aim to make air travel more affordable through competitive fares and give passengers the flexibility to choose services according to their needs,” Eidhagen said.

The route has particular relevance for travelers maintaining family connections across the Kazakhstan–China border.

Why Yining matters to Kazakhstan

Yining, widely known among Kazakhs as Kulja, is located in China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

The city serves as the administrative center of the Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, an area home to a substantial ethnic Kazakh population.

Its cultural and historical connections with Kazakhstan stretch back generations.

Situated in the Ili River valley, Yining lies in a region once crossed by major trade routes linking China with Central Asia, including branches of the ancient Silk Road.

Today, the city remains an important regional center for trade and tourism.

Visitors are drawn to its cultural heritage, historical landmarks and the natural landscapes of the Ili valley.

For many Kazakhstanis, however, the destination holds a more personal significance.

Direct flights can make it easier to visit relatives and maintain connections between families living on opposite sides of the border.

FlyArystan now serves four destinations in China

FlyArystan's network in China includes four destinations:

The airline is expanding its Chinese operations both by introducing additional routes and increasing flight frequencies on existing services.

In May 2025, FlyArystan launched its first direct service between Almaty and Yining, initially operating twice a week.

The frequency was subsequently increased to four weekly flights.

With the addition of Astana, travelers will have direct connections to Yining from two of Kazakhstan's largest cities.

For passengers heading to Xinjiang, the expanded network provides greater flexibility when planning business trips, holidays or family visits.

What passengers should know before traveling to China

Travelers planning to visit Yining should check China's entry requirements before departure.

Foreign nationals are required to complete relevant entry information online in accordance with applicable Chinese regulations.

FlyArystan also advises passengers to review the check-in procedures for the new route.

Free online check-in for Astana–Yining flights opens 72 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Passengers should also review their selected fare conditions, including baggage allowances and any additional service charges.

The first Astana–Yining flight is scheduled to depart on October 26, 2026, at 7:55 a.m. Regular services will then operate every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.