Kazakhstan, Armenia Move Toward Restoring Direct Flights

Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and National Economy Minister Serik Zhumangarin has said that Kazakhstan and Armenia may soon see the return of direct flights as both sides work to overcome high service costs at Yerevan Airport.

He noted that jet fuel in Yerevan costs $1,248 per ton, while passenger fees reach $65, making operations difficult. If these expenses can be subsidized, SCAT and FlyArystan are ready to resume flights, The Caspian Post informs via Kazakh media.

Zhumangarin also highlighted growing trade between the two countries. Kazakhstan exports tobacco products, transformers, ferroalloys, and metal products, while Armenia supplies fruits, vegetables, tobacco, and its globally known brandy.

Bilateral trade has reached $82 million, a sixfold jump since 2020.

Kazakhstan has additionally proposed $348 million worth of exports to Armenia, and a delegation of Armenian entrepreneurs is expected to visit Kazakhstan to explore joint ventures - especially in agriculture, where Kazakhstan aims to boost fruit and vegetable supplies to its western regions.

The talks come as Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan arrived in Astana for high-level discussions on strengthening bilateral cooperation.