Kazakhstan expects direct flights to New York to start late next year

According to Vice Minister of Transport Talgat Lastayev, a direct, non-stop flight from Kazakhstan to New York could launch in the second half of 2027.

Previously, Kazakhstani officials said the launch would begin in early next year. Moreover, it is still unclear which city — Astana or Almaty — would be the main departure point for the flight.

Commenting on the matter on the sidelines of the «MRO Central Asia: Kazakhstan 2026» forum, Lastayev said the two sides had already signed an Open Skies agreement. A technical audit is underway, as is the process of obtaining flight permits. He also noted that a Boeing 787 Dreamliner is expected to be delivered to Kazakhstan by the end of the year, while commercial flights might start in the second half of 2027.

Air Astana also needs time to secure slots at a New York airport and familiarize pilots with the new aircraft. According to the airline, it needs at least three planes to launch a direct flight.

In September, Air Astana Group CEO Ibrahim Canliel announced that the first Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft — which the airline plans to use for direct flights from Kazakhstan to New York and Tokyo — would arrive in the country this December.

Responding to a question about where Air Astana flights to New York will depart from, the official said the choice of departure airport in Kazakhstan has yet to be finalized.

«There are many factors involved right now. We are currently examining the matter jointly with the company. There are commercial aspects and other considerations. It’s too early to name a specific departure point in Kazakhstan, but the matter is in progress,» he said.

According to Lastayev, a group of U.S. auditors has already visited Kazakhstan. Even though a typical audit before any direct flight to the U.S. takes two to three years, Kazakhstan has managed to accelerate the process. The country has spent years meeting U.S. flight requirements and is now awaiting a final assessment.

Former President Nursultan Nazarbayev proposed a direct flight to the U.S. to connect the Astana International Financial Centre with global financial hubs such as New York, Tokyo, and Shanghai. However, the launch of a direct flight to New York has been repeatedly postponed because of difficulties in acquiring aircraft, meeting U.S. aviation requirements and other issues.