Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. and Air Astana (headquartered in Almaty, Kazakhstan; Group CEO: Peter Foster, hereinafter “KC”) are pleased to announce the signing of a codeshare agreement. This agreement will allow both airlines to place their respective codes on a new Almaty to Tokyo service scheduled to be launched by KC in spring of 2026, as well as on both companies’ domestic flights.
Kazakhstan boasts both the largest area and highest GDP per capita among Central Asian countries, and its economy is expected to continue to grow substantially in the coming years. In 2022, Japan and Kazakhstan welcomed the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Since its establishment in 2001, Air Astana Group has grown steadily and rapidly, holding a 45 percent international market share and a 67 percent domestic market share in its home country. Through the codeshare partnership with KC, JAL will expand its network into Kazakhstan, located in the heart of Central Asia, which previously remained a white spot on JAL’s network map.
Air Astana Group CEO Peter Foster remarked, “Our collaboration with Japan Airlines is an exciting development that will enrich our international network and offer more travel options for our customers. We look forward to delivering a seamless travel experience for passengers between Kazakhstan and Japan.”
Japan Airlines Group CEO Mitsuko Tottori stated, “We are delighted to enter into cooperation with such a distinguished partner as Air Astana. We will contribute to further enhancement of over 30 years of diplomatic relationship between Japan and Kazakhstan, through developing passenger and cargo traffic.”
By offering better travel options between Japan and Kazakhstan, both companies aim to improve the travel experience of their guests and will serve to increase the flow of people and goods between the two countries.
Both Japan Airlines and Air Astana will continue to take on new challenges to improve their network, product, and service quality to elevate the experience of their guests.
