Hong Kong will relaunch direct flights with Almaty in Kazakhstan in the first quarter of next year, the city’s leader has announced in a breakthrough which businesses have said will be essential for easing travel and strengthening ties with Central Asia.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, who is leading a high-powered delegation to the region, also said on Tuesday that the city would start deliberations with Kazakhstani authorities to reach a Comprehensive Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement to facilitate business dealings.
Kazakhstan’s flag carrier Air Astana used to operate a direct flights between Hong Kong and Almaty before suspending the service at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
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Travellers from Hong Kong to the country currently have to transit through cities such as Beijing, Urumqi or other Asian hubs, extending total travel time to nine hours or more.
The 70-strong delegation led by Lee to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to explore business opportunities includes some 40 local representatives from the logistics, innovation and technology, banking and aviation sectors, as well as over 30 mainland entrepreneurs.
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Cathay Pacific Airways’ chief customer and commercial officer, Lavinia Lau Hoi-zee, and Hong Kong Airlines board director Liu Yi Nan, as well as Airport Authority CEO Vivian Cheung Kar-fay and chairman Fred Lam Tin-fuk, are among Lee’s delegation.