Three new direct international routes to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport were launched before the end of March.

Air Astana, Kazakhstan's national flag carrier, launched a direct route between Guangzhou, Guangdong province, and Kazakhstan's economic and cultural center, Almaty, on March 31. The new route will be operated by the Airbus A321LR aircraft, with three round-trip flights per week.

Flights KC187/8 will depart Almaty on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays and arrive in Guangzhou early the next morning. Return flights from Guangzhou will operate on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Mondays.

Air Astana has launched a direct flight from Almaty to Guangzhou, with flight number KC187/8. The outbound flight departs Almaty every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday, arriving in Guangzhou early the next morning. The return flight departs Guangzhou every Wednesday, Friday, and Monday.

"China has always been a strategically important market for Air Astana, with strong business and leisure traffic growth since the first service was launched between Almaty and Beijing more than 20 years ago," said Peter Foster, chief executive of Air Astana. "The launch of the new service to Guangzhou represents a significant step in expanding Air Astana's China network," he said.

China and Kazakhstan have implemented a mutual visa-exemption agreement since November 10, 2023, allowing travelers to enter each other's country visa-free and stay for up to 30 days each time. The new flight route between Guangzhou and Almaty is expected to facilitate connectivity between the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Central Asia.

Vietnam's low-cost carrier Vietjet Air launched direct routes on March 30, connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with South China's Guangzhou city. Both routes—Ho Chi Minh City-Guangzhou (VJ3908/9) and Hanoi-Guangzhou (VJ7526/7)—will operate daily flights.

On March 31, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport recorded a breakthrough of over 4 million inbound and outbound passengers in the first quarter of 2025, marking a 24.5% year-on-year increase. 

Driven by the rising popularity of "China Travel" air-tourism packages and the 240-hour visa-free transit policy, international and regional travel markets have surged. Baiyun Airport has expanded its international route network, increasing frequencies to cities along the Belt and Road Initiative partner countries and major European and American destinations. Nine new or resumed international passenger routes and two new international destinations have been added.

Southeast Asia routes now account for nearly 500 weekly departures from Guangzhou, ranking first in the Chinese mainland. To date, Baiyun Airport serves nearly 70 destinations along the Belt and Road Initiative partner countries, an increase of over 10 compared to February 2024.

Source | GDToday, Foreign Affairs Office of People's Government of Guangzhou Municipality