Kazakhstan’s national carrier Air Astana is expanding its flight program to Baku ahead of the Novruz holiday, increasing connectivity between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.

According to the airline, direct flights from Almaty to Baku will resume from March 15, The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.

The route will initially operate twice a week - on Thursdays and Sundays. Starting in April, the frequency will rise to three weekly flights, and from May, to four flights per week on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The updated schedule envisages convenient daytime departures and arrivals.

Air Astana is also boosting its Atyrau-Baku route. From March 18, flights will operate three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Beginning in April, the schedule will shift to Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

The flight duration from Almaty to Baku is approximately 3 hours and 35 minutes, while the Atyrau-Baku connection takes just 1 hour and 25 minutes.