Kyrgyz International Airlines (KIA) will launch flights across Asia from Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan, southern Asia, using Airbus A300-600s from mid-July. Services in Europe and more aircraft will follow.
Twice-weekly flights to Bangkok and three-times-weekly services to Jakarta, Jeddah and Kuala Lumpur will operate using two A300s on two-year leases, says Safuan Group chairman Matshah Safuan.
Safuan, a Malaysian conglomerate which has a hotel in Bishkek, owns a majority stake in KIA. The airline will be the second international carrier to operate from Bishkek, after state carrier Kyrghyzstan Airlines, a former arm of Soviet-era Aeroflot.
Line maintenance will be carried out in Bishkek, while heavy maintenance will take place in Kuala Lumpur. Cabin crews are undertaking final safety training in Istanbul.
KIA's next destinations will probably include Birmingham in the UK, Frankfurt, Moscow and New Delhi. KIA is also considering flying charter trips shuttling migrant contract labourers using wet-leased Boeing 747-200s.
Source: Flight International
