Kazakhstan Aims to Boost Air Links with Europe
Kazakhstan’s Transport Ministry is working to enhance air connectivity with European destinations, specifically targeting services to cities in Austria, Germany, Hungary, and Latvia. This initiative follows a recent meeting in Luxembourg between Kazakhstan Civil Aviation Committee Chair Saltanat Tompiyeva and European Commission official Simon Brain, where they prepared an agreement on air transportation aspects between Kazakhstan and the European Union.
The Kazakh government stated on October 15 that “this procedure is the final step in preparing the agreement for signing and serves as the legal basis for all EU countries to open direct flights to Kazakhstan in the future.” This agreement is expected to strengthen air traffic cooperation between Kazakhstan and EU nations.
This development builds on earlier progress, as the European Commission lifted all remaining restrictions on Kazakhstani carriers flying to the EU. Kazakh airlines faced initial bans in 2009 due to non-compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization standards, allowing only Air Astana to operate limited flights into the bloc. Restrictions were eased in 2018 following improvements in flight safety, but the 2019 Bek Air crash raised concerns again. In May 2024, the EU fully lifted restrictions after recognizing substantial advancements in Kazakhstan’s aviation safety, including enhancements in certification, control, and supervision systems.
According to analysis from OAG Schedules Analyser, Kazakhstan currently operates nonstop flights to five EU countries—Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, and Poland—alongside seasonal services to Greece, totaling 25 flights per week.
Kazakhstan’s Transport Ministry has outlined plans for future routes to Budapest, Munich, Riga, and Vienna, with SCAT Airlines set to launch a bi-weekly service to Vienna in spring 2025. This expansion reflects Kazakhstan’s commitment to improving its air transportation network and fostering stronger ties with European markets.
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