On September 22, negotiations between the aviation authorities of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Swiss Confederation were held in Astana. The Kazakhstani delegation was led by Ms. Saltanat Tompiyeva, Chair of the Civil Aviation Committee of the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The Swiss delegation was headed by Mr. Laurent Noël, Lead of Negotiator Air Services Agreements, Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA). The talks were also attended by representatives from Air Astana, SCAT, SWISS International Air Lines, and Basel Airport, as well as officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Embassy of the Swiss Confederation in Kazakhstan.

During the negotiations, the parties discussed prospects for developing direct air services and practical issues regarding the potential opening of new routes.

Following the talks, the aviation authorities of the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding providing designated airlines with the right to operate up to 28 passenger flights per week, while establishing a legal framework for cargo operations with no restrictions on frequencies and capacities.

The parties also agreed upon and initialed the text of the draft Air Services Agreement for subsequent signing, which will establish an updated legal foundation for the further development of air traffic between Kazakhstan and Switzerland.

The Swiss side stated that it sees potential in developing direct air services between the two countries and is currently considering the launch of regular flights to Kazakhstan.

The development of direct air services between Kazakhstan and Switzerland will create additional opportunities to strengthen tourism, trade, economic, and business ties between the two nations, as well as to increase mutual passenger and business traffic.