Kazakhstan Plans Direct Flights to Tokyo and New York

Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov, at a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers, raised the issue of opening direct flights from Kazakhstan to Tokyo and New York, Orda.kz reports.

We are talking about the opening of new direct flights to Tokyo, New York, so far there are no results. What measures are being taken?he asked Minister of Transport Nurlan Sauranbayev.

Sauranbayev replied that the flight to Tokyo will be launched in the fourth quarter of 2026.

In the United States — flights will be opened in the second quarter of next year. There are currently 34 international flights from Astana to other destinations. Five more directions are planned by the end of the year,he answered.

The Aviation Administration of the Republic of Kazakhstan continues work on obtaining FAA Category 1 status to open direct flights to the United States of America. After the FAA technical assessment in August 2024, the AAC is working to eliminate the identified shortcomings and implement the issued recommendations. The administration plans to invite the FAA IASA team to conduct an assessment in September 2026. The FAA will evaluate the compliance of the Republic of Kazakhstan with international standards in terms of legislation, regulatory regulation, and their practical implementation. The AAC expects to receive FAA Category 1 status in November 2026.

Also, according to Sauranbayev, Kazakhstani and foreign airlines continue to expand the international route network. In 2026, four new flights have already been opened:

Almaty — Shanghai
Astana — Yerevan
Atyrau — Tashkent
Aktau — Yerevan

By the end of the year, they plan to open or resume 11 more international destinations. At the same time, the aviation industry faces a global problem — a shortage of aircraft. Now the waiting period for a new aircraft can reach 8–10 years.

Original author: Ilya Astakhov

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