Air Astana Expands Network with New Routes to Salalah, Oman

Air Astana has announced a significant expansion of its international network with the launch of new nonstop services to Salalah, Oman. Flights from Almaty are scheduled to commence on October 23, 2026, followed by flights from Astana on October 24, 2026. This expansion is part of a wider strategy to position Almaty as a primary connecting hub for Central Asia and the Caucasus, with Salalah serving as a key leisure destination for the airline's growing customer base.

This route launch is the 22nd new service introduced by Air Astana during 2026. The airline is leveraging its existing codeshare partnership with Japan Airlines and other regional carriers to facilitate broader connectivity. The move into the Omani market highlights the airline's focus on tapping into emerging tourism corridors that connect Central Asian markets with the Middle East, providing travellers with more diverse options for both business and vacation travel.

This service directly impacts travellers based in Kazakhstan and the surrounding Central Asian region looking for direct access to Oman. It also benefits international travellers who utilize Almaty as a transit point for reaching the Middle East.

Makutet analysis suggests that Air Astana’s aggressive route expansion in 2026 is a calculated effort to capture market share in the underserved Central Asia-to-Middle East corridor. By focusing on leisure-heavy destinations like Salalah, the airline is diversifying its revenue streams beyond traditional business routes, which may provide a buffer against fluctuations in corporate travel demand.