New transit cargo carrier arrives at Astana Airport

Photo: Astana Airport

On June 2, 2026, the airport of Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana, welcomed the inaugural cargo flight of Sichuan Airlines. The Chinese carrier’s Airbus A330 aircraft made a technical stop at the airport en route from Chengdu to Budapest. The new flight on this route will operate eight times a week.

The launch of Sichuan Airlines’ flights will increase cargo volumes, expand cooperation with international air carriers, and enhance the Kazakh capital airport’s attractiveness for developing logistics and transit projects, the air gateway said in a statement.

Kazakhstan’s geographical position along the so-called Middle Corridor between Asia and Europe makes it a convenient transit hub for many cargo airlines operating on this route. Earlier in June, Luxembourg-based cargo airline Cargolux also resumed its flights through Astana.

CentralAsia+ Aero earlier reported: Astana Airport resumes 24/7 operations following runway maintenance.

CentralAsia+ Aero earlier reported: Astana Airport connected to city via automated light rail.

CentralAsia+ Aero earlier reported: Aerostan Airlines carries 11,800 tons of cargo in 2025.