Almaty International Airport is currently undergoing a significant expansion project, introducing a state-of-the-art international terminal to the Southern hub. Concurrently, an increasing number of airlines, particularly low-cost carriers, are initiating direct flights to Almaty International Airport.

Among the latest entrants, Flynas, a low-cost carrier based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has announced the launch of direct flights to Almaty. This development follows Kazakhstan's Foreign Ministry's statement, which disclosed details following the minister's visit to Saudi Arabia for the sixth meeting of the Kazakh-Saudi Intergovernmental Joint Committee on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technical, and Cultural Cooperation (Astana Times). Commencing in Spring 2024, Flynas plans to operate seven weekly flights between Riyadh and Almaty.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov and President of TAV Airports Holding Serkan Kaptan discussed the ongoing progress of the new international terminal construction at Almaty Airport at a press conference on January 18 (Zakon). “We expect that [the new terminal’s] opening will significantly increase passenger traffic, expand the geography of flights, and also provide residents and guests of the metropolis with quality services and a high level of comfort,” noted PM Smailov. It was also reported at the meeting that the new terminal will be launched ahead of its schedule, most likely in June 2024.

In early December, it was reported that Air Asia, the largest Asian low-cost airline, will begin operating flights on the Almaty - Kuala Lumpur route starting March 14, 2024 (Tengri Travel). This follows the recent launch of direct flights between Almaty and Delhi by IndiGo (IndoGo) and between Almaty and Hangzhou by Loong Air (Qaz Monitor) in September 2023, Oman’s Salam Air inaugurating a direct Muscat – Almaty route in July 2023 (Muscat Daily), and the Italian carrier Neos establishing a direct route between Milan and Almaty in May 2023 (Astana Times).

Other than the traditional routes mostly operated by Air Astana and other Full-Service international airliners, these additions will significantly expand the already established routes by “low-cost” carriers, such as those flying between Almaty and destinations in the Persian Gulf including FlyDubai (Dubai), Air Arabia (Sharjah), Jazeera Airways (Kuwait City), WizzAir (Abu Dhabi), and other destinations operated by the Kazakhstani low-cost carriers such as SCAT airlines and Fly Arystan. Ultimately, a diverse array of destinations served by low-cost carriers contributes to affordability and reduces travel time between Almaty and various international destinations.