Cyprus to have direct flights to Kazakhstan from 2024

Cyprus Deputy Minister of Tourism Kostas Koumis this week stated that direct air connectivity between Cyprus and Kazakhstan will become possible next year.

According to a statement from the ministry, the Deputy Minister conducted significant contacts in the city of Almaty, Kazakhstan, leading a business mission of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Keve) in the Central Asian country.

Specifically, Koumis met with high-ranking government officials as well as representatives from the private sector in Kazakhstan engaged in various sectors of the country’s economy, such as tourism and investments.

During the meetings and his speech at a business forum, the Deputy Minister referred to Cyprus’ high-quality and diverse tourism product, as well as its attractive investment profile.

In addition, Koumis also met with executives from Almaty-based airline Air Astana.

In his statements, the Deputy Minister expressed optimism about the outcome of the discussions, stating, “I believe that from next year, we will finally achieve direct air connectivity between our country and Kazakhstan”.

He also mentioned that Kazakhstan is a promising tourism market, with outgoing tourism increasing over time.

Moreover, he referred to Kazakhstan being a country with a population of around 19 million, adding that it is the largest economy in Central Asia, which entails opportunities for collaboration between the tourism industry of both countries.

“I consider it certain that Kazakh citizens will have the opportunity next year at this time to enjoy the natural beauty of our country by visiting Cyprus through direct flights,” stated the Deputy Minister.

He further mentioned that they discussed the possibility of signing a memorandum of cooperation in the tourism sector, stating that “essentially, it is something that has already been paved and personally, I believe it will greatly contribute to the effort of attracting this specific market to Cyprus and vice versa, as well as developing closer relationships among professionals in the field”.

“Personally, I see the potential for further collaboration between the two countries in other sectors of the economy, something that was evident during the forum,” Koumis concluded.

The meetings took place within the framework of a business forum organised by the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Keve) in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy, Commerce, and Industry, and the Cyprus-Kazakhstan Business Association.

The forum included presentations and analyses of various sectors of the Cypriot economy and was attended by approximately 60 organisations and businesses from Kazakhstan.

The Ambassador of Cyprus to Kazakhstan, Cyprus Georgallis, as well as the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Cyprus, Satybaldy Burshakov, were also present at the meetings and the forum.