Kazakhstan's Air Astana will launch a non-stop service between Shanghai and Almaty from March 30, adding a new link between China's financial hub and Central Asia's largest city.

The airline said it will operate the route three times a week with Airbus A321LR aircraft.

Flight KC282 will depart Shanghai Pudong Airport on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The return flight, KC281, will leave Almaty on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, landing in Shanghai the following day.

The Shanghai service expands Air Astana's existing routes to China, which currently include flights to Beijing, Guangzhou, Urumqi, and Sanya. From Almaty, travellers from Shanghai will be able to connect onward to destinations across Kazakhstan as well as Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Middle East and Europe.

Almaty is Kazakhstan's largest city and its main economic, financial and transport center.

China and Kazakhstan have offered mutual visa-free travel since Nov 10, 2023, allowing stays of up to 30 days per visit.

Air Astana said the new route will strengthen links between China's Yangtze River Delta region and Central Asia, supporting exchanges in trade, business and tourism.

The airline has been flying to China for more than 20 years, starting with its Almaty–Beijing route. With the addition of Shanghai, Air Astana will operate seven routes between the two countries: Almaty to Beijing, Shanghai, Urumqi, Sanya, and Guangzhou, and Astana to Beijing and Sanya.