Air Astana to Launch Direct Tokyo–Almaty Flight in 2026
Air Astana will launch a new direct flight between Tokyo and Almaty in March 2026, marking a major step in expanding air connectivity between Kazakhstan and Japan.
Ahead of the route’s opening, a high-level meeting between Japan’s leading tour operators and representatives of Kazakhstan’s tourism industry took place in Almaty, the city akimat reported.
The Japanese delegation included representatives from ten major Tokyo-based tour operators, covering key travel segments such as cultural tourism, nature travel, premium tours, and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions).
During B2B sessions, the sides discussed joint tourism programs, promotional campaigns, and plans to position Almaty as an “eastern hub for Japanese travelers.”
Japanese partners expressed strong interest in Almaty’s natural landscapes—including the Tien Shan Mountains, Shymbulak ski resort, Charyn Canyon, and Kazakh cuisine.
According to preliminary forecasts, Kazakhstan expects to welcome 5,000–7,000 Japanese tourists during the first year of flight operations.
Photo credit: japan-guide.com
