Kazakh low-cost carrier FlyArystan has announced its first European route. The Air Astana subsidiary plans to operate non-stop flights between Aktau and Prague using an all-economy Airbus A320 with 180 seats. Like Air Astana's other European routes, the flights will be forced to take a lengthy detour as the shortest route between the two cities goes right overhead Ukraine.

Having been launched mid-way through 2019, FlyArystan quickly found itself faced with the worst crisis ever to impact the aviation industry. However, the airline persevered, and it paid off, with the carrier now playing a massive role in the Air Astana group's overall performance.

Europe bound

Europe is not a new market for the Air Astana group as a whole, with the full-service component operating a robust schedule to Frankfurt alongside flights to London and Amsterdam. However, the low-cost subsidiary FlyArystan is yet to head to the continent.

In under a month from June 12th, FlyArystan will begin flying between Aktau and Prague once a week on Saturdays. The airline will add a second rotation on Thursdays from July 6th. The flights will operate to the following schedule according to the airline's booking portal,

• KC 7629 - Aktau Airport (SCO) 12:50 - Prague Airport (PRG) 15:25 - Airbus A320 - 05h35m
• KC 7630 - Prague Airport (PRG) 16:10 - Aktau Airport (SCO) 00:05+1 - Airbus A320 - 04h55m

As mentioned above, the current conflict in Ukraine means that the route to Prague will be significantly longer than as the crow flies for the time being. Air Astana suspended all flights to and over Russia in early March. This meant that flights to six Russian cities were suspended. European flights can still operate, but they have to route around the south of Russia and Ukraine, adding significant mileage.

Commenting on the new route, Madina Buzhinova, FlyArystan Sales and Marketing Director remarked,

"The first low cost carrier in Kazakhstan FlyArystan is pleased to announce a launch of direct flights between Kazakhstan and the Czech Republic. Prague is the first European route in FlyArystan’s international route map... We believe that the launch of direct flights will positively affect not only trade and economic relations between two countries, but also will facilitate Czech tourists visit beautiful landscapes in Kazakhstan."

A vital component of the Air Astana group

FlyArystan is rapidly growing to become a crucial part of the Air Astana Group. To date, the low-cost subsidiary has taken 10 Airbus A320 family aircraft. By the end of the year, four more aircraft are set to join the fleet.

6.6 million passengers were carried by the Air Astana Group in 2021. Surprisingly, almost half of these (3.1 million) were booked to travel with the low-cost subsidiary. This allowed the Air Astana group to post a new traffic record. Its previous high was 5.12 million passengers in 2018.

Are you excited to see FlyArystan launching flights to Prague? Let us know what you think and why in the comments!