newstodate.aero
JUL 05, 2005 (newstodate): Kazakhstan has seemingly stepped down from its demand, made earlier this year, for foreign airline to switch air services from Almaty to Astana, the country's new capital since 1997.
Foreign airline, including British Airways, Air Frandce/KLM and Lufthansa consider Almaty a better destination with a much larger customer base and catchment area, and have complained about this political demand interfering with business considerations.
The Kazakh government now accepts the situation but proposes one flight from each foreign destination to touch down at Astana.
In an earlier moderation, the government had accepted that airlines might continue serving Almaty provided they included a stop at Astana as well which was also not acceptable to the airlines.
Kazakhstan's new capital Astana Airport, managed by Air Astana, was opened in April this year, and plans to implement CAT III landing and runway lighting systems later this year.
Foreign airline, including British Airways, Air Frandce/KLM and Lufthansa consider Almaty a better destination with a much larger customer base and catchment area, and have complained about this political demand interfering with business considerations.
The Kazakh government now accepts the situation but proposes one flight from each foreign destination to touch down at Astana.
In an earlier moderation, the government had accepted that airlines might continue serving Almaty provided they included a stop at Astana as well which was also not acceptable to the airlines.
Kazakhstan's new capital Astana Airport, managed by Air Astana, was opened in April this year, and plans to implement CAT III landing and runway lighting systems later this year.