Air Astana to launch Almaty-Langkawi flights in December

KUALA LUMPUR: Air Astana will launch seasonal direct flights between Almaty and Langkawi from Dec 25, 2026 to March 27, 2027, marking the Kazakh flag carrier's return to Malaysia with its own scheduled services.

The Kazakhstan flag carrier said it has opened bookings for the new service, which will operate three times weekly on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays using an Airbus A321LR (long-range).

Flight KC8167 will depart Almaty at 9.35pm and arrive in Langkawi at 8.10am the following day, with a flight time of seven hours and 35 minutes.

The return flight, KC8168, will leave Langkawi at 9.40am and arrive in Almaty at 2.40pm, with a flight time of eight hours.

Air Astana said return fares start at US$740 in economy class and US$2,006 in business class, inclusive of taxes and charges.

Kazakh citizens can enter Malaysia without a visa for stays of up to 30 days.

"Langkawi is one of Malaysia's most popular island destinations, located in the Andaman Sea and known for its white-sand beaches, ancient mangrove forests and mountainous landscape," Air Astana said in a statement today.

The Langkawi service will reconnect Air Astana directly with Malaysia after the airline previously operated flights between Almaty and Kuala Lumpur.

Air Astana launched its first direct Almaty-Kuala Lumpur flight in October 2009.

However, the carrier suspended the direct flight in March 2020.