The new route will be serviced by two Airbus A319 airliners, designed for 90 economy-class seats and 20 business-class seats. Astana will become the 52nd Etihad Airways destination in the world, as well as the second city of Kazakhstan, connected with the Emirates by direct air communication of this airline. In December last year, Etihad Airways began flying to the largest city in Kazakhstan - Almaty. In order to open a connection with Astana, Etihad Airways removed one of four weekly flights to Almaty, where the airline’s planes will now depart only three times a week.