The aviation authorities of Kazakhstan and Turkey have reached an agreement to double the number of flights between the two countries, the Ministry of Transport reported. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Sputnik Kazakhstan.
The aviation administrations of the two countries signed a new memorandum of understanding in Istanbul aimed at further strengthening cooperation in civil aviation and expanding air traffic between Kazakhstan and Turkey.
On the main routes (from Istanbul to Astana, Almaty and Shymkent, from Ankara to Astana and Almaty), the permitted number of flights for airlines of both parties has been increased from 76 to 138 flights per week, the ministry noted.
On tourist routes (from Antalya and Bodrum to cities in Kazakhstan), the number of flights has been increased from 44 to 86 flights per week.
The total number of permitted flights on the above routes has increased from 120 to 224 flights per week.
For all other routes, airlines of both parties are allowed to operate up to 14 flights per week.
This will create conditions for expanding direct air traffic and developing regional transport connectivity, the statement said.
In addition, the parties agreed to operate up to 76 cargo flights using the fifth freedom of the air for transportation to third countries.
Astana and Ankara also plan to intensify cooperation on a wide range of civil aviation issues.
These include state regulation of air transport, flight safety and aviation security, investigation of aviation incidents, development of airport infrastructure and digitalization of the industry.