Central Asia was the fastest region to exceed pre-pandemic capacity, and that was primarily due to the strong performance of the Air Astana Group. The Kazakhstan-based group has continued to add new Airbus A321neo aircraft while strengthening its business with significant investments in pilot and cabin crew training and opening new routes and extra services. Expanding presence in the Middle East Last Friday, Air Astana announced it is launching new twice-weekly services from Kazakhstan to Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
On October 26, 2024, it commences flights from Atyrau International Airport (GUW) in the country's west to Dubai, from Astana to Abu Dhabi on October 30 and from Almaty to Abu Dhabi on December 12, 2024. These new winter season flights to the Middle East will add to the existing 20 weekly services from Almaty and Astana to Dubai and six weekly services from Almaty and Shymkent to Saudi Arabia. Passengers can combine visits to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with flights from Kazakhstan to one Emirate and a return trip from the other.
Air Astana Senior Vice President of Revenue Management and Commercial Planning, Yerbolat Baisalykov, said the airline is delighted to further boost its presence in the Middle East, with new services to Dubai and Abu Dhabi reflecting the rapid growth in business and leisure traffic between Kazakhstan and the region. "In particular, introducing a new Atyrau to Dubai service will contribute to wider economic development i.