Kazakh airline Air Astana is expanding its international network with two new weekly routes to Salalah (SLL) and Tokyo-Narita (NRT), linking the airline to Oman and Japan for the first time. The additions aim to improve connectivity from Kazakhstan, adding new destinations at a time when the carrier is restoring Middle East operations and pursuing wider expansion across Asia.
Salalah: A First for Oman
Air Astana will fly nonstop to Salalah (SLL) from both of its main bases, Almaty (ALA) and Astana (NQZ). Both routes will operate weekly and will be flown by Airbus A320 aircraft.
Services commence from Almaty (ALA) on Oct. 23, and from Astana (NQZ) on Oct. 24.
Salalah is a southern coastal city and a popular spot for travellers. Tourists are drawn to nearby mountains that turn noticeably greener than the surrounding region during the summer monsoon, making it one of Oman’s busier seasonal destinations.
The launch comes as the carrier rebuilds its Middle East network. Air Astana expanded there in early 2026, but conflict in the region forced it to slow down. Flights to Dubai were suspended for a period and only resumed in early October, marking a gradual restoration of the airline’s regional operations.
Tokyo Narita: First Route to Japan
Air Astana will launch two weekly flights between Almaty (ALA) and Tokyo-Narita (NRT) on Mondays and Thursdays from Nov. 30, subject to government approval. This is the airline’s first route to Japan, and it will be operated by the Airbus A321LR.
Flights will run on the following schedule, in local times:
- KC171 (ALA – NRT) departs at 21:55 and arrives at Narita at 09:25 the next day.
- KC172 (NRT – ALA) departs at 10:55 and arrives at Almaty at 16:20.
The flights will be codeshared with Japan Airlines (JAL) under the two carriers’ existing partnership.
Ibrahim Canliel, CEO of Air Astana, said:
“The launch of direct air services to Japan is a key priority and supports our ambition to strengthen Kazakhstan’s leadership as the hub of Central Asia and Caucasus,” adding that the new service “will provide a significant boost to trade, economic and cultural ties between Kazakhstan and Japan.”
Air Astana’s A321LR seats 166 passengers: 16 in full lie-flat business class and 150 in economy. Eighteen economy seats are designated as “MySeat” for extra space.
Would you consider a trip to Tokyo or Salalah with Air Astana? Let us know in the comments below.
