Summary
- Kazakhstan plans to operate direct flights to the USA with Boeing Dreamliners by 2025.
- Air Astana aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
- It is unclear from which cities and to which cities in both countries flights will be operated.
Next year, the United States may offer direct flights to Central Asia’s largest country. According to a press release from the Kazakh government, Kazakhstan plans to launch direct flights with the United States in 2025 after Kazakh Airlines receives its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Air Astana is currently modernizing its fleet with Airbus A320neos, A321neos, A21LR and Boeing Dreamliners. Air Astana is also taking steps to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
Air Astana flies Dreamliners directly to the USA
A Kazakh delegation led by Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry Zhaslan Madiyev recently met with representatives of Boeing. During the visit, the Kazakh delegation was introduced to Boeing’s assembly process for commercial aircraft. Kazakhstan is currently ordering Boeing Dreamliners and plans to use them for direct flights to the United States.
“Issues regarding aircraft supply for Kazakh airlines (probably Air Astana) were discussed and it was confirmed that the delivery of the first Dreamliner for direct flights from Kazakhstan to the USA is planned for the end of 2025. This event is intended to strengthen Kazakhstan’s air fleet and increase the level of air traffic in the country.” – Press release from Kazakhstan
It is unclear which cities in Kazakhstan these flights would depart from – but it is likely to be Almaty or Astana. What is even more unclear is which cities in the United States the flight would fly to. The Kazakh statement was written in Russian (one of Kazakhstan’s two official languages) and says the airline is called “казахстанских авиакомпаний,” which translates to “Kazakh airline.” This is likely a reference to Air Astana – Kazakhstan’s national carrier based in Almaty. Air Astana has ordered three Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.
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Kazakhstan – a huge and overlooked country
Kazakhstan is the ninth largest country in the world by area and has a population of around 20 million people. It is by far the largest country in Central Asia and one of the most overlooked countries in the world. The country has a rich history and many natural wonders (including mountains over 7,000 meters high – although most of the country is steppe). The Kazakhs come from a nomadic steppe culture not unlike that of Mongolia.
Photo: Jonathan Hendry | Easy flying
Kazakhstan’s two main airports are the international airports of the northern capital Astana and the southern city of Almaty (the largest city and former capital). As a post-Soviet Central Asian country, Kazakhstan is well connected to Russia and many other destinations in the former USSR. In addition, Kazakhstan has connections to Europe, East and Southeast Asia, and some other destinations such as Istanbul and Tel Aviv. There are currently no direct flights to the United States or anywhere else in the Americas.
