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Air Astana Cargo (IATA: KC) is the dedicated cargo division of Air Astana, Kazakhstan's national flag carrier and the largest airline group in Central Asia and the Caucasus. With a dual-hub strategy at Almaty and Astana, a fleet of Boeing 767-300ERF freighters, and an extensive China network spanning six destinations, Goodhope Freight connects Chinese exporters to Kazakhstan, Central Asia, Europe and beyond.
Key facts about Air Astana Cargo and its cargo proposition for shippers in China.
Air Astana Cargo representation across mainland China.
Address: Room 3B-28, Terminal 3, Urumqi International Airport, No. 1341 Yingbin Road, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
Established: 10 June 2009
Function: Scheduled passenger and cargo services on Astana–Urumqi and Almaty–Urumqi routes
Note: For cargo bookings, please contact Goodhope Freight for coordination.
Address: Room 1127, 11/F, Kerry Centre, No. 968 Beijing West Road, Jing'an District, Shanghai, China
Function: Cargo and passenger sales for East China
Note: Almaty–Shanghai route operates 3× weekly with belly-hold cargo capacity
For bookings: Please contact Goodhope Freight for coordination.
Cargo Sales: cargo.sales@airastana.com
Cargo Department: cargo@airastana.com
Phone: +7 (727) 356 09 50 / +7 (727) 258 41 36
Mobile/WhatsApp: +7 702 702 01 59
Head Office: 4A Zakarpatskaya Street, Almaty 050039, Kazakhstan
Air Astana Cargo operates dedicated Boeing 767-300ERF freighters and utilises belly-hold capacity on its modern passenger fleet, including the Boeing 767-300ER and Airbus A321LR.
| Aircraft | Type | In service | Max Payload | Cargo Volume | Typical routes | Cargo advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 767-300ERF | Dedicated freighter (converted) | 3 | 52.5 tonnes | 340 m³ (main deck) | Almaty – Beijing (daily), Almaty – Urumqi (5× weekly), Almaty – Frankfurt, Almaty – Zhengzhou – Frankfurt, Almaty – Istanbul, Almaty – Dubai | Primary freighter; ideal for intercontinental and regional cargo; converted from owned B767-300ER passenger aircraft |
| Boeing 767-300ER | Wide-body passenger (belly cargo) | Multiple | ~8 tonnes | 48 m³ | Almaty – Frankfurt, Astana – Frankfurt, long-haul international | Complementary belly capacity on key European routes |
| Airbus A321LR / A321neo | Narrow-body passenger (belly cargo) | Multiple | [To be confirmed] | [To be confirmed] | Almaty – Shanghai, Astana – Guangzhou, regional Asia and CIS | Modern fuel-efficient aircraft deployed on China and regional routes |
| Boeing 777-200F (planned) | Dedicated freighter | 5 (2025–2027) | ~102 tonnes | [To be confirmed] | Transcontinental: Asia – Europe – Americas | Planned expansion; will significantly increase intercontinental freighter capacity |
* Air Astana Cargo's overall weekly capacity reaches 1,800 tonnes when combining freighter main-deck capacity with passenger belly-hold capacity. The airline's three B767-300ERF freighters were converted from owned B767-300ER passenger aircraft at Air Astana's technical centre in Almaty. Plans are in place to add five Boeing 777-200F freighters from 2025–2027.
Air Astana Cargo's extensive China network connecting six Chinese destinations with Kazakhstan and Europe.
| Route | Aircraft | Frequency | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Almaty (ALA) ⇄ Beijing (PEK) | Boeing 767-300ERF | Daily | Active — cargo freighter |
| Almaty (ALA) ⇄ Urumqi (URC) | Boeing 767-300ERF / A321 | 5× weekly | Active since 2014 |
| Almaty (ALA) ⇄ Shanghai (PVG) | Airbus A321LR (belly) | 3× weekly | Active since 2026 |
| Astana (NQZ) ⇄ Guangzhou (CAN) | Airbus A321LR (belly) | 2× weekly | Active since Jun 2026 |
| Almaty (ALA) ⇄ Guangzhou (CAN) | Airbus A321LR (belly) | Regular | Active since Mar 2025 |
| Astana (NQZ) ⇄ Beijing (PEK) | Passenger aircraft belly-hold | 3× weekly | Active |
| Almaty (ALA) ⇄ Sanya (SYX), Gulja/Yining (YIN) | Passenger aircraft belly-hold | Regular | Active |
| Zhengzhou (CGO) → Almaty (ALA) → Frankfurt (FRA) | Boeing 767-300ERF | Regular | Active — Central Asian Silk Road route |
| Beijing (PEK) / Urumqi (URC) / Zhengzhou (CGO) | Direct cargo stations | Direct | Direct cargo stations |
Air Astana has received permission to operate cargo flights to China without restrictions on quantity and direction. Additional services are planned to Guangzhou and Beijing, alongside frequency increases on existing routes. Please consult your local agent for the latest schedule and confirmed frequencies.
Destinations reachable from China through the Air Astana Cargo network (via Almaty and Astana hubs).
Air Astana Cargo's network spans three continents — Asia, Europe and Africa — with dual hubs at Almaty (ALA) and Astana (NQZ). The airline covers 38 countries and connects China with key destinations across Europe, the CIS, the Middle East and beyond. Key destinations reachable from China include:
Recommended China routing: Beijing (PEK) / Urumqi (URC) / Zhengzhou (CGO) → Almaty (ALA) on Air Astana Cargo B767F → final destination (Europe, CIS, Middle East). For cargo from other Chinese cities including Shanghai, Guangzhou and Sanya, belly-hold capacity is available on passenger services. Exact routing, carriers and transit points are per shipment — please consult your local agent for the latest schedule.
Why Chinese exporters choose Air Astana Cargo for Central Asia and Europe-bound cargo.
For Chinese manufacturers, traders and e-commerce businesses, Air Astana Cargo offers a strategically positioned, comprehensive air freight solution with four distinct advantages.
Central Asia's largest airline group with dual-hub strategic positioning. Air Astana is the largest airline group in Central Asia and the Caucasus by revenue and fleet size. Its dual-hub strategy at Almaty (ALA) and Astana (NQZ) creates a "dual-hub multi-radial" network covering 38 countries. Almaty, in particular, serves as a critical connection point between the Chinese and European markets, with daily flights to Beijing and 5× weekly flights to Urumqi. The airline has received permission to operate cargo flights to China without restrictions on quantity and direction, providing Chinese shippers with flexible, unrestricted capacity on one of the fastest-growing air cargo corridors in Asia.
Dedicated B767-300ERF freighters with 52.5-tonne payload capacity. Air Astana Cargo operates three Boeing 767-300ERF freighters, each offering 52.5 tonnes of payload and 340 m³ of main-deck volume. These aircraft were converted from owned B767-300ER passenger aircraft at Air Astana's technical centre in Almaty — a unique capability that demonstrates the airline's self-sufficiency and technical expertise. The airline's overall weekly capacity reaches 1,800 tonnes when combining freighter main-deck capacity with passenger belly-hold capacity on the modern fleet. The B767-300ERF is deployed on the airline's key China routes including Almaty–Beijing (daily), Almaty–Urumqi (5× weekly) and the Zhengzhou–Almaty–Frankfurt "Central Asian Silk Road" route, which completes shipments in just 24 hours.
Comprehensive special cargo capabilities with industry-leading compliance. Air Astana Cargo handles a full range of specialised cargo types with rigorous compliance:
— Dangerous Goods: Four-tier approval system with a 99.2% compliance rate — the highest among Central Asian carriers
— Temperature-sensitive goods: 2–8°C range with 24-hour pre-notification requirement
— Oversized cargo: Maximum dimensions of 6m × 3m × 2.8m
— Live animals: IATA-compliant containers and handling
— Pharmaceuticals: Validated cold-chain logistics
The airline's "KC Cargo Portal" system integrates 185 partner agencies and achieves 85% e-AWB usage, providing real-time booking, electronic waybill generation and full shipment visibility. The airline also completed integration with Cargospot and CHAMP Cargosystems, ensuring seamless digital connectivity for freight forwarders.
Competitive pricing and sustainable growth. Air Astana Cargo offers a three-tier rate structure — general cargo, special cargo and temperature-controlled cargo — with benchmark rates such as 1.1 USD/kg for general cargo (100kg+) and 2.5 USD/kg for cold chain on the Almaty–Beijing route. The airline offers three contract models — block space agreements, capacity agreements and rate guarantees — with contract customers achieving 8–12% cost advantages over spot market rates. The airline is also committed to sustainability, with carbon intensity down 14.7% compared to 2019 and a commitment to carbon-neutral cargo operations by 2030. The airline plans to add five Boeing 777-200F freighters from 2025–2027, significantly expanding its intercontinental freighter capacity.
Goodhope Freight consolidates and negotiates on the China side, so exporters benefit from consolidated rates, predictable departures and local Chinese-language support. We work with Air Astana Cargo to confirm space on the best available routing for your Central Asia and Europe-bound shipments.
How to book Air Astana Cargo space from mainland China through Goodhope Freight.
How Air Astana Cargo's dual hubs and specialised services create value for freight from China.
Air Astana Cargo is built around a dual-hub strategy: Almaty International Airport (ALA) as the primary cargo hub and corporate headquarters, and Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport (NQZ) in Astana as the secondary hub. This "dual-hub multi-radial" network structure positions Kazakhstan as a natural bridge between Asia and Europe, with Almaty serving as a key connection point for the Chinese and European markets. Nur-Sultan International Airport (NQZ) handles over 80,000 tonnes annually — the highest volume in Central Asia. The airline is a full member of SkyTeam Cargo, extending its reach through partner airlines to destinations worldwide.
Dedicated freighter fleet with self-sufficiency. Air Astana Cargo operates three Boeing 767-300ERF freighters, each with 52.5 tonnes payload and 340 m³ main-deck volume. These aircraft were converted from owned B767-300ER passenger aircraft at Air Astana's technical centre in Almaty — a capability that few airlines possess. The airline plans to add five Boeing 777-200F freighters from 2025–2027, which will significantly expand its intercontinental freighter capacity and enable direct services to the Americas. Combined with belly-hold capacity on the passenger fleet, Air Astana Cargo offers 1,800 tonnes of weekly capacity.
The "Central Asian Silk Road" route — 24-hour China–Europe connectivity. Air Astana Cargo operates a unique "Central Asian Silk Road" route linking China and Europe via Kazakhstan. The Zhengzhou–Almaty–Frankfurt route completes shipments in just 24 hours, offering Chinese exporters a faster alternative to traditional sea freight and a competitive option to direct air cargo. The airline also operates a Truck+Air solution through its CargoPoint partnership, where cargo consolidated in Shenzhen and Xi'an is transported by road across Khorgos into Kazakhstan before being flown from Almaty and Astana to destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas. This multimodal capability provides Chinese exporters with flexible, integrated routing options.
Digital leadership and industry recognition. Air Astana Cargo has established itself as a digital leader in Central Asian air cargo. The "KC Cargo Portal" system integrates 185 partner agencies and achieves 85% e-AWB usage, providing real-time booking, electronic waybill generation and full shipment visibility. The airline completed integration with Cargospot and CHAMP Cargosystems, and offers "KC Cargo Direct" for intelligent quoting and online booking. The airline's digital innovation was recognised with the IATA Global Air Cargo Innovation Award 2024. The tracking system refreshes every 30 minutes across multiple platforms including the official portal, 17TRACK, TrackTrace and Express100 (Chinese interface).
Specialised cargo and compliance excellence. Air Astana Cargo handles a comprehensive range of specialised cargo with industry-leading standards:
— Dangerous Goods: Four-tier approval system with 99.2% compliance rate — the highest in Central Asia
— Temperature-sensitive goods: 2–8°C range with 24-hour pre-notification requirement
— Oversized cargo: Maximum dimensions of 6m × 3m × 2.8m
— Live animals: IATA-compliant containers and handling
— Pharmaceuticals: Validated cold-chain logistics, including COVID-19 vaccine transport
Partnerships and network expansion. Air Astana has established strategic partnerships to extend its cargo reach:
— Etihad Airways: Codeshare agreement expanding cargo services through Abu Dhabi to Riyadh, Dammam, Bahrain, Mumbai, Cairo, Doha, Kuwait City and Muscat
— Azerbaijan Airlines: Codeshare agreement on Baku–Almaty route (5× weekly)
— SkyTeam Cargo: Full member, providing access to a global network of partner airlines
— GSSA Network: Partnerships with international sales agents across key markets
With a modern, rapidly expanding freighter fleet, a strategically positioned dual-hub network, a comprehensive digital platform and a clear commitment to sustainability, Air Astana Cargo is a dynamic, reliable partner for Chinese exporters targeting Central Asia, Europe and global markets.