Air Astana and two of Europe’s leading airlines, Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, have signed a codeshare agreement for flights between Astana and Paris, operated by Kazakhstan’s flag carrier. 

Effective for flights from March 11, this three times a week service will now carry the marketing code of both KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Air France. The agreement enables passengers from across KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Air France worldwide networks to be able to purchase tickets and travel seamlessly to and from the Kazakh capital.

To facilitate this closer cooperation and expected growth in transfer traffic, the airlines have also executed baggage and passenger transfer agreements; and the operations of Air Astana flights at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport have been transferred from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2a, effective March 11 for more convenient connections of passengers to the Air France – KLM network. 

Air Astana operates three flights a week between Astana and Paris, Charles de Gaulle on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays, using Boeing B757-200 aircraft, configured with 16 Business Class, 12 Economy Sleeper Class and 108 Economy Class seats.

“We are delighted to strengthen the cooperation with KLM and Air France as part of our bilateral partnership growth strategy. The agreement adds the Kazakh capital to the KLM and Air France network and at the same time makes it easier for global travellers to fly with Air Astana to and from our home base using the Paris hub.  We believe that Air France and KLM passengers will enjoy Air Astana’s award winning four-star services.  These first steps pave the way for a strong and long term cooperation between the three carriers,” said Peter Foster, president and chief executive officer of Air Astana.

Guillaume Glass, general manager Russia & CIS AIR FRANCE KLM, said: “We have a track record of building successful partnerships with international carriers that broaden our global network. The co-operation with Air Astana is another milestone in our unique global flight network to and from Paris Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. This strategic step will deliver significant benefits to our business and provide our customers with exclusive travel opportunities. Plus we will strengthen our presence in Kazakhstan in the capital city, which will hold the Expo-2017.” – TradeArabia News Service