Air Astana Group expands operations from Astana with eight new routes and increased frequencies in 2026, aiming to boost its presence in Asian markets.
Air Astana expands flight routes
The Air Astana Group, which includes the main airline Air Astana and its budget carrier FlyArystan, is launching eight new routes from Astana, Kazakhstan, in 2026. These routes will connect the city to destinations in China, Thailand, Cyprus, Turkey, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Oman, and another Chinese city, adding to a growing international network.New destinations increase network size
The group added eight new destinations in 2026, bringing the total number of routes from Astana to 32. This follows the addition of seven destinations in 2025, including cities in China, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, and Turkey, which expanded the group’s reach across Asia and the Middle East.Flight frequencies increase on key routes
Alongside the new routes, the group is increasing the number of weekly flights on existing international routes from Astana. The number of frequencies will rise from 99 to 116, with notable increases on routes to Beijing, Seoul, Frankfurt, Istanbul, and Dubai, though the exact distribution of these flights is not specified.Capacity growth on major routes
The expansion includes a significant increase in seat capacity on key routes. For example, the Astana–Beijing route will see a 55% increase in capacity, while services to Seoul and Istanbul will grow by 20%. These increases aim to strengthen the group’s presence in established markets while supporting new routes.Fleet expansion underway
The number of aircraft based in Astana has grown from 13 in 2024 to 16 in the summer of 2026. The group plans to increase this to 22 aircraft in 2027. Air Astana’s fleet includes a mix of Boeing and Airbus aircraft, with 18 new Boeing 787-Dreamliner planes expected to be delivered starting in 2026.Training and infrastructure improvements
Air Astana is also expanding its training and operational capabilities at Astana airport. A second full flight simulator for Airbus A320 aircraft, certified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, is now fully operational in the group’s training center, enhancing pilot training and safety standards.Focus on China as a growth area
China has become a central focus for the group’s expansion. In the second quarter of 2026, the group reported an 81% increase in capacity to China compared to the previous year, with a plan to operate up to 51 weekly flights to the country. CEO Ibrahim Canliel emphasized China as the "main axis" of the group’s international growth strategy.Dual hub strategy with Almaty
Astana is expanding alongside Almaty, the group’s other hub. The new routes and increased frequencies aim to boost both direct travel and connections through Astana. In the second quarter of 2026, the group reported an 82% increase in international transfer traffic, showing strong growth in its network’s connectivity.Fleet availability remains a challenge
Despite the expansion plans, the group faces challenges with aircraft availability. Issues with Pratt & Whitney PW1100G engines on some Airbus A320neo and A321neo planes have led to early withdrawals and groundings. To address this, the group secured 11 additional engines in early 2026 and expects the problems to be resolved by the summer of 2027.
