Flight and travel adjustments for the upcoming spring and summer seasons: updates on routes and airline operations
Air Astana, the national airline of Kazakhstan, has announced an expansion of its route network for the 2025 summer season, with a focus on high-demand markets such as China, India, Southeast Asia, and the Gulf.
New Routes
In the first half of 2025, Air Astana is launching 21 new routes. Notable new destinations include direct flights from Almaty to Nha Trang (Vietnam) and Guangzhou (China), as well as from Atyrau to Tbilisi (Georgia). The airline is also introducing flights to Mumbai (India), Frankfurt (Germany), Danang (Vietnam), and Osh (Kyrgyzstan) [1][5].
Increased Flight Frequency
The airline has increased flight frequencies on several routes due to strong demand. For example, the Almaty-Mumbai route has been expanded from three to five weekly flights, with plans to offer daily flights by the end of the year [1]. The frequency of flights from Almaty to Istanbul will also increase. Additionally, the frequency of flights to Podgorica will be up to 5 times a week.
Visa Requirements
While the search results do not specifically address visa requirements for Air Astana's new routes, travelers should generally check the visa requirements for their destination countries. For instance, citizens of many countries need visas to enter China and India, while some may benefit from visa-free or e-visa options for shorter stays in countries like Kazakhstan, Georgia, Turkey, Podgorica, and Vietnam [3].
Additional Developments
Air Astana has also simplified its fleet structure by retiring the Embraer E2 fleet, resulting in a fleet composed entirely of Airbus A320 family aircraft and Boeing 767s. Additionally, the airline plans to expand its fleet to 63 aircraft by the end of 2025 and to 84 by 2029 [2][5].
Outlook
Air Astana remains optimistic about its growth prospects, citing its strategic location and the demand for connectivity between Central Asia and fast-growing Asian markets. The airline continues to enhance its operational resilience through investments in maintenance and training capabilities [2][4].
Starting from March 30, 2025, Air Astana will switch to its summer schedule, which includes the resumption of seasonal flights to Podgorica (Montenegro), Batumi, and Bodrum, starting in June. Flights to Tbilisi from Almaty and Astana will continue as previously scheduled. Flights to Guangzhou will start on March 30, while flights to Nha Trang will start on March 24. The number of flights to Antalya from Almaty and Astana is increased, but the frequency of flights to Antalya has not been updated. Kazakhstani citizens can visit Georgia, Turkey, Podgorica, China, and Vietnam without a visa [3].
[1] Air Astana Press Release, 2025 [2] Air Astana Annual Report, 2024 [3] Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2025 [4] Air Astana Corporate Website, 2025 [5] Air Astana Investor Relations, 2025
- Air Astana's summer schedule for 2025 includes new routes that cater to popular travel destinations, such as direct flights from Almaty to Nha Trang, Vietnam, and Guangzhou, China, providing an opportunity for passengers to explore diverse lifestyles.
- Travelers considering a trip to Mumbai, India, can look forward to an improved lifestyle experience as Air Astana has increased the flight frequency on the Almaty-Mumbai route.
