Kazakhstan to Airlines: Drop Dead (or fly to Astana)
Feb 10th, 2005 | By Jared BlankIf you’re flying to Kazakhstan any time soon, you may be in for a bit of a surprise. The government is requiring all airlines that currently fly to Almaty to fly to its new capital, Astana, instead. Or else. I added the or else. The country’s iron-fisted ruler moved the capital in 1997 for some reason and has berated ministers for not spending enough time there. Airlines have until September 1 to change their routes into Astana. Or else (sorry, the report I’m linking to doesn’t say what the punishment is. I’m just assuming it’s "or else.")