Cyprus to launch first direct flights to Kazakhstan in June 2026

Cyprus will establish its first-ever direct air links with Kazakhstan starting in early June 2026. The Deputy Ministry of Tourism announced that Air Astana will operate four weekly flights connecting Larnaca International Airport with the capital, Astana, and the country's largest city, Almaty. Flights from Astana are scheduled for Tuesdays and Saturdays, while services from Almaty will run on Thursdays and Sundays. Deputy Tourism Minister Kostas Koumis stated that opening new markets is a government priority to offset the loss of the Russian market following the war in Ukraine. Cyprus is also targeting markets like Germany, Poland, Romania, and Austria to diversify its source countries. According to official data, Israel currently ranks as the second-largest source of arrivals for the island as of 2025. Kazakhstan represents the largest economy in Central Asia, offering long-term potential for tourism and bilateral economic cooperation. This development makes Larnaca one of the few Mediterranean airports with direct connections to the Central Asian region.