ASTANA – Flydubai has launched regular cargo flights between Dubai and Almaty, establishing a direct air freight connection between two major logistics hubs in the Middle East and Central Asia, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport reported on Oct. 12. Almaty International Airport welcomed the airline’s first cargo flight from Dubai on Oct.
12. The arrival was marked by a welcoming ceremony, including a traditional water-arch salute for the aircraft. Flights on the Dubai–Almaty–Dubai route will operate once a week using Boeing 737 aircraft, according to the ministry. The new route is expected to expand cargo transport options between the two cities and strengthen Almaty’s role as an aviation and logistics hub in Central Asia.
Almaty International Airport continues to develop freight connections with major logistics centers worldwide, the ministry said. The cargo service follows the launch of a new passenger route connecting Hanoi, Almaty and Prague on Oct. 10. VietJet Air operates the route twice a week using Airbus A330 aircraft.
Under fifth-freedom traffic rights, passengers can travel along the full Hanoi–Almaty–Prague route or book flights separately between Almaty and Prague, according to Almaty’s tourism department. The route is expected to improve the city’s accessibility for travelers from Europe and Southeast Asia while creating additional opportunities for inbound tourism.
The number of tourists from Vietnam visiting Almaty increased 20% in 2025 compared with the previous year. The new service is expected to further strengthen tourism ties between Kazakhstan and Vietnam and make Almaty more accessible to Vietnamese travelers.