Cathay Pacific has announced plans to launch direct flights between Hong Kong and Almaty, marking the airline’s first-ever destination in Central Asia and further expanding Hong Kong’s connectivity with the region.
The new service is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2027, subject to regulatory approvals. Cathay Pacific plans to operate three weekly flights using Airbus A330-300 aircraft, creating the only nonstop air link between Hong Kong and Kazakhstan.
The announcement was made during a visit to Kazakhstan by a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region delegation led by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu. Representatives from Cathay Pacific, Almaty International Airport, and the city’s tourism authorities attended a ceremony marking the planned launch.
Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city and commercial center, serves as a key gateway to Central Asia. The city plays an important role in regional trade, finance, and tourism, while Kazakhstan remains the largest economy in Central Asia and Hong Kong’s biggest trading partner in the region.
The new route will provide travelers with a direct connection between Hong Kong and a market that has seen growing economic and tourism activity in recent years. Demand between China and Central Asia has continued to increase, supported by expanding trade, investment, and business exchanges across the region.
For leisure travelers, Kazakhstan offers a diverse range of attractions, from mountain landscapes and outdoor adventure activities to cultural and historical sites. The country is also preparing to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games, which is expected to further raise its profile as a tourism destination.
The Almaty service represents another step in Cathay Pacific’s ongoing network expansion. The airline launched flights to Urumqi in Northwestern China in 2024, strengthening links with regions bordering Central Asia. The addition of Almaty will extend that reach even further and establish Cathay Pacific’s first direct presence in the region.
Together, Cathay Pacific and HK Express currently operate nearly 600 return flights per week to 33 destinations across Belt and Road markets, while also maintaining more than 330 weekly return flights between Hong Kong and 24 destinations in Mainland China.
Once launched, the new route will provide travelers and businesses with a faster and more convenient connection between Hong Kong and one of Central Asia’s most important economic hubs.
