Kazakhstan boosts air connectivity with Europe via new cargo and passenger routes

Luxembourg-based Cargolux Airlines, one of Europe’s leading cargo carriers, is resuming operations in Kazakhstan and plans to run up to 14 flights per week through Astana International Airport starting from 1 June 2026.

At the initial stage, the Boeing 747 freighter flights will include technical stops for refuelling and maintenance, with plans to transition to full commercial cargo operations including handling services at Astana Airport. The move aims to boost cargo turnover and reinforce Kazakhstan’s position as a key logistics hub along the Middle Corridor between Europe and Asia.

Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Belgium, Roman Vassilenko, welcomed the return of Cargolux as confirmation of the country’s growing attractiveness as an aviation and transit bridge between Europe and Asia. Cargolux President and CEO Richard Forson highlighted Kazakhstan’s investments in transit potential, stating the airline is keen to strengthen cooperation along the Europe-Asia routes.

🇰🇿🇱🇺One of the world’s leading cargo airlines, Cargolux, is returning to 🇰🇿. Starting June 1,the Luxembourg carrier plans up to 14 weekly flights via Astana,strengthening connectivity and the Middle Corridor between Europe and Asia.✈️ #Kazakhstan #Cargolux https://t.co/TpKLs3OodL pic.twitter.com/VHJxHqIE2L
— Kazakh🇰🇿 Embassy in Brussels (@KazBrussels) May 28, 2026

Kazakhstan has gained huge strategic importance as a key aerial segment of the Middle Corridor, serving as a vital transit hub for airline traffic between Europe and Asia as carriers increasingly avoid Russian and Iranian airspace due to geopolitical tensions and safety restrictions.

Passenger flight еxpansion to Europe

Air Astana, Kazakhstan’s national carrier, currently operates a network of around 40 destinations, including 10 domestic and approximately 30 international routes as of mid-2026. The airline offers several direct flights to Europe. The main routes are Frankfurt (Germany), with regular flights from both Astana and Almaty (daily on some legs during the summer season) and seasonal services from Oral/Uralsk. Air Astana also flies direct from Almaty to London Heathrow multiple times per week. From western Kazakhstan, there are direct flights from Atyrau to Amsterdam.

In addition, Air Astana operates seasonal summer routes to Podgorica in Montenegro and launched new seasonal flights to Larnaca in Cyprus in June 2026 from both Astana and Almaty. The airline also maintains a strong presence to Turkey with frequent flights to Istanbul, Antalya, Bodrum and other destinations.

A new player starts operations

Kazakhstan is also expanding direct passenger links to European destinations via partnerships. Vietnamese low-cost carrier Vietjet will launch new direct flights from Almaty to Prague (Czech Republic) starting 10 October 2026, operating twice weekly on Tuesdays and Saturdays with Airbus A330 aircraft.

The Almaty–Prague route departs Almaty at 14:20 and arrives in Prague at 18:55 the same day. Return flights leave Prague at 20:30 and arrive in Almaty the following morning. This marks Vietjet’s entry into the EU market and offers convenient connections across its network.

Additionally, direct flights between Almaty and Izmir (Turkey) will begin on 31 July 2026, operated twice weekly by SunExpress until the end of October. The route is expected to support tourism, student exchanges, and business travel.

These developments form part of Kazakhstan’s broader aviation strategy to enhance connectivity with Europe. The government is actively pushing for more long-haul routes, with instructions to accelerate services to major European capitals in the coming years. The new links are set to improve accessibility, boost tourism, trade, and people-to-people contacts between Kazakhstan and Europe.

Caption: Luxembourg-based Cargolux Airlines, one of Europe’s leading cargo carriers, is resuming operations in Kazakhstan [Visual published by @KazBrussels on X]