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ASTANA – Kazakhstan could launch direct flights between Astana and New York in 2027, following the expected completion of a United States’ aviation safety assessment and the planned introduction of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, Vice Minister of Transport Talgat Lastayev said.
Photo credit: Air Astana.
Speaking on the sidelines of an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) security week event, Lastayev said a team of auditors from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had visited Kazakhstan several weeks earlier and given a positive preliminary assessment of the country’s civil aviation system and its compliance with international standards. The final official report is expected in November. Kazakhstan aims to obtain authorization to operate flights to the U.S. by the end of this year, Lastayev said.
Lastayev added that launching the route would also depend on aircraft readiness and the completion of required flight hours for crews and technical staff.
“A Dreamliner capable of operating these flights is expected in December. Before it enters service, crews and technicians need to complete a certain number of flight hours. I think that, provided these conditions are met, we expect to launch a direct flight next year,” he said.
Air Astana’s Dreamliner undergoes flight testing
Air Astana’s first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, registered as EI-KZA, began factory flight testing in Charleston, South Carolina, on Oct. 1. Boeing is conducting the necessary certification procedures before delivering the aircraft, reported the Air Astana’s press service.
The first three Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners are expected to enter service with Air Astana in 2027. The aircraft will be a major step in the airline’s fleet modernization, gradually replacing its Boeing 767-300ER aircraft, improving operational efficiency and creating opportunities to expand its international route network.
Air Astana expands international network from Astana
Air Astana Group is also expanding its international network from Kazakhstan’s capital, adding new routes and increasing flight frequencies on existing services.
In 2026, the group launched eight new scheduled and charter destinations from Astana: Guangzhou, Bangkok, Larnaca, Dalaman, Batumi, Issyk-Kul, Salalah and Yining. Seven additional destinations were introduced in 2025: Sanya, Jeddah, Medina, Nha Trang, Da Nang, Alanya and Kutaisi.
The group’s network from Astana now covers 32 destinations, including announced routes. The expansion targets major business and economic centers, such as Guangzhou and Bangkok, as well as popular tourist destinations.
Air Astana Group is increasing weekly flights on existing international routes from Astana from 99 to 116, including services to Beijing, Seoul, Frankfurt, Istanbul and Dubai. Compared with 2025, capacity on the Astana-Beijing route has risen by 55%, while capacity on routes to Seoul and Istanbul has increased by 20%.
The group is also expanding its operational presence in the capital. The number of aircraft based in Astana rose from 13 in 2024 to 16 in summer 2026 and is expected to reach 22 in 2027.
The expansion is accompanied by growth in technical, training and administrative teams, as well as passenger services at Astana International Airport. The company said its increased presence also supports local businesses through a growing number of partners and higher procurement of goods and services.
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