DUSHANBE, February 28, 2013, Asia-Plus  -- Tajik and Kazakh civil aviation authorities have reportedly agreed to launch an air route that will connect with two capital cities – Dushanbe and Astana.

According to information posted on Kazakh Ministry of Transport’s website, an agreement on launching the air route from Dushanbe to Astana has been reached during recent negotiations in Dushanbe.  It will be a twice-weekly service.

Besides, under the agreement reached in Dushanbe, Kazakh air carriers will be able to operate flights form any of international airports in Kazakhstan to the Tajik cities of Dushanbe, Khujand, Qurghon Teppa and Kulob of their own choice, the website said, noting that Tajik air carriers may operate flights to the Kazakh cities of Astana, Almaty, Taraz and Shimkent.

Currently, Tajik private air carrier, Somon Air, operates a twice-weekly service from Dushanbe to Almaty.  Besides, Tajik national air carrier, Tajik Air, operates once-weekly service from Dushanbe to Almaty and Air Astana, the principal airline and the flag carrier of Kazakhstan, now operates a triple-weekly service from Almaty to Dushanbe.