Air Astana to Organize Special Repatriation Flights for Kazakhstanis from the Middle East

Following the escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, the Air Astana Group has announced plans to operate four repatriation flights today, March 3, to bring Kazakhstani citizens back home, as reported by Kursiv.media.

The airline intends to operate flights from Western Kazakhstan regions to the following destinations:

• Medina (Saudi Arabia) – 2 flights;
• Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) – 2 flights.

The execution of these flights is strictly contingent upon obtaining the necessary approvals from the aviation authorities of Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

Due to critical security concerns in the region, the carrier has implemented the following restrictions:

• Regular flights to Middle Eastern countries are suspended until March 6 inclusive.
• Ticket sales for these destinations will remain closed until March 13 inclusive.

The closure of Middle Eastern airspace follows a large-scale military operation launched by the United States and Israel against Iran, announced on February 28, 2026. This was met with retaliatory strikes by Iran against countries in the Persian Gulf hosting American military bases. Currently, approximately 2,500 Kazakhstani citizens are stranded in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The Kazakhstan authorities and the private sector are providing comprehensive assistance to affected citizens: 

The Ministry of Transport is developing plans to return citizens using alternative and safe routes. The Ministry of AI and Digital Development, in cooperation with domestic mobile operators, has launched free roaming and communication packages for compatriots currently in the Middle East. Major financial institutions, including Freedom Bank and Kaspi.kz, have announced daily allowances for stranded clients: 35,000 ₸ per adult and 15,000 ₸ per child.

"The airline continues to monitor the situation closely and will promptly inform passengers of any further changes," the official statement read.