Direct flights between Kazakhstan and Türkiye are getting a major boost this summer as new air service between the city of Izmir and Almaty is set to launch on July 31, 2026.

The new Izmir-Almaty-Izmir route will be operated by SunExpress following negotiations with the Consulate General of Kazakhstan in Izmir, The Caspian Post reports via Kazinform.

Flights will run twice a week through the end of October 2026, opening up faster and more convenient travel options for tourists, students, business travelers, and Kazakh citizens heading to Türkiye’s Aegean coast.

The launch is expected to strengthen tourism and business ties between Kazakhstan and Türkiye, while also making one of Türkiye’s most popular seaside destinations more accessible for travelers from Central Asia.

The new connection adds to Kazakhstan’s growing international flight network. Earlier, plans were announced for new routes from Kostanay Airport to destinations including Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, Istanbul, and Tashkent.