Air Astana will launch a new direct service between Almaty and Tokyo on 30 November 2026, thus strengthening air connectivity between Kazakhstan and Japan. The first return flight from Tokyo is scheduled for 1 December. The announcement was made on 2 October, although the final timetable remains subject to government approval.
The route will operate twice a week to Tokyo’s Narita International Airport using Airbus A321LR aircraft with business- and economy-class cabins. Flights from Almaty are planned for Mondays and Thursdays, departing at 21:55 and arriving in Tokyo at 09:25 the following day. Return services will operate on Tuesdays and Fridays, leaving Tokyo at 10:55 and reaching Almaty at 16:20.
The outbound journey will take approximately seven hours and 30 minutes, while the return flight is expected to last around nine hours and 25 minutes. The service will be operated under a codeshare agreement between Air Astana and Japan Airlines. This will give passengers the possibility of connecting through Tokyo with Japan Airlines’ wider network, while also improving access to Kazakhstan for travellers from Japan.
The new route is part of Air Astana’s continued expansion during 2026. According to the airline, Tokyo will become the group’s 22nd new route launched during the year. Air Astana Group chief executive Ibrahim Canliel said the service would support Kazakhstan’s ambition to strengthen its role as an international transport hub linking Central Asia and the Caucasus with major overseas markets.
The connection is also expected to support tourism, business and cultural exchanges between Kazakhstan and Japan. For Japanese visitors, a direct flight will provide a much easier access to Almaty, the country’s largest city and an important gateway to its mountain landscapes, cultural sites and wider Silk Road tourism offer. It could also encourage travellers to combine Kazakhstan with other destinations in Central Asia through Almaty’s regional connections.
The introduction of the route follows a relatively open visa arrangement for Japanese visitors. Japanese citizens can enter Kazakhstan without a visa for stays of up to 30 days, while Kazakh citizens require a visa to visit Japan. The new air link is therefore expected to be particularly relevant for inbound tourism, business travel and bilateral exchanges.
Air Astana already operates a growing international network from Almaty and Astana. The Tokyo service, thus, will add an important East Asian destination to that network and give Kazakhstan another direct connection with a major long-haul market.
