Air Astana is launching several new routes from October, increasing the low-fare airline’s network across the Middle East.
Flights to Saudi Arabia are increasing, with direct flights from Shymkent to Jeddah two times a week for October and then changing to once a week between Shymkent and Medina. The airline is also including a new service between Almaty and Medina on a two-times weekly basis from 29 October 2024, accompanying its current Almaty to Jeddah route.
The new Saudi Arabia routes will expand travel options for passengers, especially religious tourists. Mecca is only a one-hour train ride from Medina.
Equally, Air Astana is increasing its connections to the United Arab Emirates, with services from Atyrau to Dubai and Astana to Abu Dhabi set to launch at the end of October 2024 and an additional route from Almaty to Abu Dhabi entering service in December. The services will all be operated twice weekly.
“In particular, the introduction of a new Atyrau to Dubai service will contribute to wider economic development in western Kazakhstan by enhancing connectivity with important business and tourist centres in the Gulf,” said Yerbolat Baisalykov, Senior Vice-President of Revenue Management and Commercial Planning, Air Astana. “Passengers will also have the opportunity to combine visits to Abu Dhabi and Dubai on one trip, with the possibility of flying from Kazakhstan to one Emirate and returning from the other.”
The new services will be operated using A321LR and A321neo aircraft. In July, the airline signed an agreement with Air Lease Corporation for seven A321neoLRs to be delivered from 2026. Currently, Air Astana has a fleet of 54 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, with a plan to increase the fleet size to 80 by the end of 2028.
Photo: Air Astana
