Almaty International Airport welcomed the first direct SunExpress flight operating on the new Izmir–Almaty–Izmir route, Qazinform News Agency reports. The inaugural flight was greeted with a ceremonial welcome, including traditional Kazakh sweets for passengers and the customary water cannon salute.
The airline will operate the route twice a week using Boeing 737 aircraft. Flights will depart Almaty on Wednesdays and Saturdays and Izmir on Tuesdays and Fridays. Passengers will also have access to connecting flights across SunExpress' extensive domestic and international route network.
According to the airport's press service, the new route is expected to expand Almaty's international flight network while boosting tourism, strengthening trade and economic cooperation, and fostering closer business and cultural ties between Kazakhstan and Türkiye.
Earlier, Qazinform News Agency reported that Astana-Shanghai flights are set to start this autumn.