Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways on Thursday officially announced it is launching a direct passenger service between Hong Kong and Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city and former capital, with bookings now open and the first flight departing on Jan 9, 2027.

The new route marks Cathay Pacific's first destination in Central Asia and is the only direct link between Hong Kong and Kazakhstan, reflecting the airline's “ongoing commitment to growing Hong Kong’s connectivity” with countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, the company said.

According to Cathay Pacific's statement, the service will operate six round-trip flights per week with one departure from Hong Kong and one from Almaty on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, with tickets available through the airline's official website.

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As of Thursday afternoon, the website showed that the inaugural flight from Hong Kong, departing at 4:25 pm on Jan 9, will take 7 hours and 5 minutes. Economy class fares start at around HK$2,300 ($293), while business class tickets cost over HK$14,500. In comparison, indirect flights — transferring via Shanghai, Urumqi or Beijing — take at least 10.5 hours.

Also on Jan 9, 2027, the return leg from Almaty will depart at 9:50 pm and will take 6 hours and 10 minutes. Economy fares start at about 200,000 Kazakhstani tenge ($435), while business class tickets are priced at around 825,000 tenge.

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The carrier also said that Almaty, as Kazakhstan’s commercial and cultural capital, serves as an important gateway to Central Asia, and offers opportunities to expand trade, business and tourism. The addition of Almaty to the group’s network further reinforces its commitment to strengthening Hong Kong’s position as a leading international aviation hub and enhancing connectivity with important markets in countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.

The launch of the direct flight is one of the outcomes of Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu's high-level business delegation to Central Asia in June, during which multiple memorandums and cooperation agreements were signed — including a commitment to launch direct flights between Hong Kong and Almaty in the first quarter of 2027.

Contact the writer at amberwu@chinadailyhk.com