Air Astana has announced that it will resume scheduled passenger flights to Dubai from both of its Kazakh hubs starting in early October 2026. The decision brings an end to a suspension that had been in effect since July 2026, which saw multiple extensions throughout the year as regional tensions escalated in the Middle East.
According to the carrier, service from Almaty to Dubai will be the first to restart on October 1, 2026. Flights will initially operate four times per week before gradually increasing to 12 weekly flights by the end of October. Meanwhile, operations on the Astana to Dubai route will resume on October 2, 2026, beginning with three flights weekly and expanding to 10 weekly flights by month's end. Air Astana noted that capacity will be rebuilt incrementally rather than restoring full frequency immediately.
The airline stated that it will continue to closely monitor regional developments across the Middle East. It highlighted that flight schedules remain subject to adjustments depending on how conditions evolve, and passengers will be notified of any further changes to planned operations.
The resumption follows a period of repeated disruptions on the carrier's Gulf routes during 2026. After an initial suspension due to airspace restrictions, Air Astana briefly restored nonstop Astana-Dubai service on July 4, 2026, expanding to daily flights by early August. However, rising military tensions prompted a re-suspension on July 12, 2026, when flight KC205 from Astana to Dubai turned back mid-journey and flight KC897 from Almaty was cancelled before departure. Subsequent extensions pushed the suspension through July 21, August 31, and ultimately September 30, 2026, as the airline cited ongoing instability across the Strait of Hormuz and the wider region.
