Salam! This is Sugi from ASHU TRAVEL, your guide to scenic trips in Central Asia.
A direct flight from Narita to Almaty is finally expected to launch.
Central Asia—”far away, yet close to the heart”—is becoming just a little more accessible.
Traveling to Kazakhstan looks set to change from next year.
A Central Asian journey connected by direct flights
It has been reported that in 2026 Air Astana is expected to launch a new direct route between Tokyo/Narita and Almaty, with two round trips per week.
The aircraft is planned to be an Airbus A321LR with 166 seats in total: 16 in business class and 150 in economy class.
(Source: TRAICY)
The launch of a direct flight could greatly change travel between Japan and Kazakhstan, which until now has usually involved connecting via Uzbekistan or elsewhere.
Honestly, we’re thrilled about this announcement
The official announcement is apparently still some way off. March has been mentioned, but it has been postponed before, so honestly, we can’t say for sure when it will happen.
But if it does happen…
Kazakhstan, which many people have thought of as “far away,” will become truly close.
Also, until now, traveling between Japan and Kyrgyzstan usually meant taking a late-night flight via South Korea on Trinity Airways (formerly T’way Air), but a direct flight to Kazakhstan would offer more choice of flight times. Tours combining Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan look set to become even more convenient!
Trekking, horse riding on high plateaus, exploring Soviet-era architecture—the way you put your trip together could change quite a bit.
Update: March 2026
We’ve been following developments closely ever since this news came out, but there’s still no official announcement.
When we spoke with someone at a ticketing company, they said, “At this point, it’s hard to predict.”
That’s because the airline itself apparently needs to assess how demand and fuel will turn out (if people start holding back on travel, it might be pushed to next year; on the other hand, demand could rise because Middle Eastern airports can’t be used, so a direct flight might launch right away… and so on).
Since even professionals can’t predict the situation, it may be difficult to make plans that assume the direct flight will start.
Next, it’s your turn to experience the stunning scenery
At ASHU TRAVEL, we offer moving, scenic horse riding tours that take you on horseback through the magnificent nature of Kyrgyzstan and the rest of Central Asia.
- A Japanese-speaking or English-speaking guide accompanies you, so there’s no need to worry about language
- Meals, accommodation and transfers are all included, so first-timers can travel with peace of mind
- Rich experiences with scenery you won’t find on ordinary sightseeing, plus a taste of nomadic culture
Swaying on horseback, head into untouched nature. It’s sure to redraw your own “map” of the world.
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