Cyprus will launch its first-ever direct air links with Kazakhstan in June 2026, strengthening the island’s connectivity with Central Asia and opening a new tourism market.
Regular scheduled flights from Kazakhstan to the Republic are set to begin in early June, connecting Larnaca Airport with the capital Astana and the country’s largest city, Almaty.
The route will be operated by Air Astana, with two weekly flights from Astana every Tuesday and Saturday, and two weekly flights from Almaty every Thursday and Sunday.
The development marks the first time Cyprus will be directly connected with Kazakhstan.
Deputy Minister of Tourism Costas Koumis described the launch as a significant step in expanding the country’s tourism outreach.
“For the Government, opening new markets in the tourism sector is an action of outstanding importance,” he said.
“The start of direct flights from Kazakhstan to our country is undoubtedly a success, and I am confident it will prove beneficial not only for our tourism sector but, over time, for other sectors as well.”
He added that from June, Larnaca Airport will become one of the few Mediterranean airports with direct connections to Kazakhstan.
“Kazakhstan is not simply a new market. It is the largest economy in Central Asia and we believe it can develop into a strong market for Cyprus tourism in the long term, as well as an additional destination for Cypriots,” Koumis said.
He stressed the importance of offering high-quality hospitality to Kazakh visitors and strengthening bilateral tourism ties. The Deputy Ministry of Tourism has already scheduled participation in the Almaty tourism exhibition in April, aiming to deepen cooperation between public and private sector stakeholders in both countries.
Speaking to in-cyprus in November, Kazakhstan’s first resident ambassador in Nicosia, Nikolay Zhumakanov, said the prospects for the new air link are positive. He added that until then the Embassy of Cyprus in Astana already issued 100–200 visas to Kazakh citizens each month.
Zhumakanov said direct routes would make travel significantly easier and could boost visitor numbers. “Kazakhstan, with its population of 20 million and strong interest in beach destinations, represents an attractive market for Cyprus. Shorter travel times would also support package tours, family holidays, and business trips,” he said.
Εξέλιξη ιστορικής σημασίας για τον #τουρισμό της χώρας μας. Από τον ερχόμενο Ιούνιο το αεροδρόμιο Λάρνακας γίνεται ένα από τα ελάχιστα Μεσογειακά αεροδρόμια που θα συνδέονται απευθείας με το Καζακστάν 🇰🇿 @airastana @costaskoumishttps://t.co/6Z4KBBCIg0#cyprus #airconnectivity pic.twitter.com/ariNLgq2JJ
— Υφυπουργείο Τουρισμού – Deputy Ministry of Tourism (@DepMinTourismCy) February 11, 2026
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