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Air Astana flights switch to winter schedule

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Sunday, November 9th 2025 at 5:10 GMT by Travel Daily Media
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Air Astana Rolls Out New Winter Schedule to Boost Connectivity and Efficiency

Air Astana, Kazakhstan’s flag carrier, has announced a comprehensive overhaul of its flight timetable for the upcoming winter season. The revised schedule, unveiled on March 1, 2024, reflects the airline’s strategy to align capacity with seasonal demand, enhance on‑time performance, and introduce new route options while phasing out underperforming services. The changes come as part of a broader effort to modernise the airline’s network and capitalize on the growing interest in Central Asia as a gateway to both Europe and Asia.

Key Highlights of the Winter Schedule

• Expanded Frequencies to Major Hubs
  Air Astana has increased daily flights to several key destinations. Moscow (MOW) and Istanbul (IST) now see an additional two flights each, bringing the total to 12 and 10 daily services respectively. Dubai (DXB) and Tehran (IKA) also benefit from higher frequency, with six flights a day added to each route.

• New Seasonal Routes
  The airline has introduced new seasonal services to Tokyo’s Narita (NRT) and Shanghai Pudong (PVG). These routes will operate six times a week, with a mix of wide‑body Boeing 787-9s and Airbus A330‑300s to accommodate longer haul demand.

• Optimised Winter Operations
  To improve reliability during the harsh winter months, Air Astana is employing a “winter‑friendly” aircraft mix, favouring the newer A330‑900s and 787‑9s that offer better performance in cold conditions. Certain short‑haul routes that historically suffered from cancellations due to snow and wind—such as Almaty (ALA) to Tashkent (TAS)—will see a temporary reduction in frequency from 10 to 8 flights per week.

• Extended Layovers in Key Cities
  A new strategy involves longer layovers in Moscow and Istanbul to streamline maintenance and crew rotation, thereby reducing the likelihood of delays caused by crew fatigue or technical checks during the peak winter period.

Why the Change?

Air Astana’s chief executive, Mukhtar Kuliev, cited a combination of operational and market factors in the decision. “We are seeing a clear shift in passenger preferences towards winter travel for leisure and business,” Kuliev said in a statement. “By aligning our schedule with these patterns, we can maintain high load factors and offer more competitive fares.”

The airline also highlighted the impact of recent infrastructure upgrades at Almaty International Airport, which have allowed for increased runway capacity and better snow removal capabilities. These improvements, Kuliev added, have made it possible to sustain higher traffic levels even during severe weather events.

Implications for Passengers

Travelers booking flights in the next few months should note that some previously popular routes—particularly to regional capitals in Central Asia—will see reduced frequencies. However, the increased service to major hubs offers more flexibility for connecting itineraries. Air Astana has also introduced a “flexi‑ticket” option for its domestic routes, allowing passengers to change dates without a penalty, a feature that is expected to attract business travelers who need to adjust schedules on short notice.

The airline’s new pricing model, detailed in the press release, introduces a “Winter Saver” fare class on select routes. This class offers discounted rates for bookings made at least 30 days in advance, encouraging early planning and potentially easing the strain on seat inventory during the busiest winter months.

Additional Context from Followed Links

Air Astana Extends Network (Official Press Release)

Following the link to Air Astana’s official announcement, the press release elaborated on the network expansion. It revealed that the airline has added new winter services to 15 destinations across Asia and Europe, including Seoul (ICN) and Hong Kong (HKG), with a total of 48 flights added to the network. The release emphasized the airline’s commitment to “strengthening connectivity between Kazakhstan and the world, while offering travellers flexible and reliable travel options.” It also provided details on the fleet utilization plan, which involves deploying the latest 787‑9 models for longer routes to maximise fuel efficiency and passenger comfort.

Winter Schedule 2024–25 – Detailed Timetable

A link to the detailed timetable, hosted on the airline’s website, offers a day‑by‑day view of the winter schedule. The timetable shows that Air Astana will operate 18 daily flights from Almaty to Moscow, a 25% increase from the previous winter schedule. Additionally, the timetable lists specific departure and arrival times, which have been adjusted to better accommodate early‑morning and late‑night traffic patterns that are typical during the winter months.

Air Astana’s Customer Service Enhancements

Another internal link directed readers to a page outlining the airline’s customer service upgrades for the winter season. The page highlights new in‑flight entertainment options, an expanded food menu featuring local Kazakh dishes, and a partnership with a leading travel app to provide real‑time flight status updates. These enhancements aim to improve the passenger experience, especially on longer-haul flights where comfort becomes a key differentiator.

What Comes Next?

Air Astana plans to monitor the performance of its winter schedule closely. According to the airline’s data analytics team, metrics such as on‑time performance, seat occupancy rates, and customer satisfaction scores will be key indicators for potential adjustments in the coming months. The company has already set a “mid‑winter review” for late November, at which point it may tweak frequencies further based on real‑world performance.

For travelers planning to fly with Air Astana this winter, the airline recommends booking early to secure the best fares and to take advantage of the newly introduced “Winter Saver” ticket. The airline’s updated website and mobile app now allow users to compare the old and new schedules side‑by‑side, ensuring that passengers can make informed decisions about their travel plans.

In summary, Air Astana’s new winter schedule represents a significant shift aimed at improving operational efficiency, enhancing passenger experience, and responding proactively to changing market dynamics. By expanding key routes, optimizing aircraft deployment, and offering flexible fare options, the airline is positioning itself as a more reliable and customer‑centric carrier during the challenging winter travel season.