Shanghai has opened its first direct passenger air route to Central Asia, linking the city with Chimkent in Kazakhstan via SCAT Airlines.

SCAT Airlines flight DV461 arrived at Shanghai Pudong International Airport from Chimkent at 5:12 am on May 30, carrying 72 passengers.

Chimkent, one of the oldest cities in Kazakhstan, is a key commercial and trading hub. As business ties between China and Kazakhstan continue to deepen, the new direct flight will help improve transport convenience and boost tourism on both sides, further supporting broader cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Huang Yite, an official from Shanghai Pudong International Airport Customs, noted that China and Kazakhstan have adopted a mutual visa exemption policy. As 2025 marks Kazakhstan's "China Tourism Year", Shanghai Customs will continue to provide safe and efficient clearance for international passengers, ensuring the smooth operation of the new route.

A representative from SCAT Airlines stated that Shanghai, as a global aviation hub, plays a vital role in connecting China and Central Asia through economic, trade, tourism, and cultural exchanges. The new route will strengthen trade, tourism, and cultural ties between the two countries.

In the first five months, Shanghai Customs recorded 104,000 inbound and outbound aircraft movements, a year-on-year increase of 14.5 percent. Passenger traffic reached 17 million, up more than 20 percent from the same period last year.

Source: Shanghai Observer