Air Astana Plans New Route to New York, Eyes European Stopovers

Plans for a new flight connecting Kazakhstan to the United States have hit delays, with Air Astana indicating that its proposed route to New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) will require a stopover in Europe. Originally expected to launch in 2025, the schedule has shifted due to setbacks in the delivery of the Boeing 787-9 aircraft.

During the company’s Capital Markets Day at the London Stock Exchange on September 15, 2025, Peter Foster, the chief executive officer of Air Astana, confirmed that a nonstop flight to the United States remains unfeasible without overflying Russian airspace. Since March 2022, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Air Astana has avoided this route, complicating its plans for direct service to the US.

New York has emerged as a potential first destination for the airline’s US operations, driven by strong demand for flights from the Kazakh capital, Astana. While no official filings with the US Department of Transportation (DOT) have been made to disclose specific routes, Foster noted that reaching the East Coast represents the most logical step for the airline.

The limitations of the current fleet and external factors have prompted Air Astana to consider a stopover in Europe for its US-bound flights. “Even with the 787’s range, we can’t operate a direct flight from Kazakhstan to New York JFK without overflying Russia,” Foster stated. He highlighted that securing fifth-freedom rights at a European airport would be essential if they pursue this route, although he did not specify which airport might serve this function.

Current Fleet and Future Deliveries

Founded in 2001, Air Astana is Kazakhstan’s flag carrier, operating from Astana Nursultan Nazarbayev Airport (NQZ). As of now, the airline’s fleet comprises 33 aircraft, predominantly Airbus models, with an average age of eight years. The current lineup includes 12 Airbus A321LRs and 11 Airbus A320neos, among others.

Looking ahead, Air Astana awaits the delivery of 13 additional aircraft, including three Boeing 787-9s, which are now projected to arrive no earlier than mid-2026 due to ongoing delays in the production of the Dreamliner. These setbacks have directly impacted the airline’s timeline for launching services to the United States.

The challenges faced by Air Astana in establishing direct flights to the US were underscored by a statement from the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan on January 23, 2024. The ministry confirmed that the Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan (AAK) was collaborating with the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to facilitate direct flights. At that time, Air Astana was optimistic about its first 787-9 delivery and anticipated undergoing an FAA audit.

In July 2024, the Government of Kazakhstan, led by Jaslan Mädiev, Minister of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry, engaged with Boeing representatives to discuss production processes and address delivery delays. The government indicated that the first delivery of the 787-9 for direct flights to the US would commence in late 2025, reflecting the complexities surrounding the airline’s expansion plans.

As Air Astana navigates these hurdles, the airline remains committed to exploring routes that can connect Kazakhstan with the United States while adhering to the restrictions imposed by current geopolitical conditions. The potential for a European stopover represents a pragmatic response to these challenges, allowing the airline to fulfill the demand for travel between the two regions.