FlyArystan, the low-cost subsidiary of Kazakhstan’s flag carrier Air Astana, is expanding its international network with the launch of a new route between Almaty (ALA) and New Delhi (DEL). 

The Kazakh airline will be competing on this route with Indian low-cost carrier IndiGo, which is starting its own thrice-weekly service between the two cities on September 23, 2023. 

In the last few years, Kazakhstan and Central Asia have seen the establishment of new direct air routes, operated by narrow-body aircraft, towards destinations in the Middle East, the Caucasus, and South Asia.  

Since its launch in 2019, FlyArystan has already expanded to markets outside its home country, and currently flies to Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, China, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. 

The recent launch announcement is likely to be followed by others, since FlyArystan also stated that it is evaluating the launch of new international services to Abu Dhabi (AUH), as well as to destinations in Oman and Saudi Arabia.