Air Astana’s plans to launch direct flights to the United States have been postponed due to delays in the delivery of its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. Peter Foster, the airline’s CEO, revealed in an interview with Forbes Kazakhstan that the first aircraft, originally expected to be delivered in 2025, will now arrive no earlier than mid-2026—more than a year later than planned.
The delay stems from Boeing’s production setbacks, although Foster acknowledged that the US-based aircraft manufacturer has made positive progress in recent months. Despite these improvements, the setback has forced Air Astana to adjust its expansion strategy, pushing back the timeline for launching US services. The airline had intended to introduce non-stop flights from Kazakhstan to the United States, but the postponement leaves these plans in limbo.
While Foster did not specify which US cities Air Astana planned to serve, the airline has previously expressed interest in establishing direct connections to major hubs. However, no official filings have been made with the US Department of Transportation (DOT) to confirm specific routes, leaving the details of Air Astana’s entry into the US market unclear.
The delay has raised concerns among those looking forward to new transcontinental flight options, especially as Air Astana had been positioning itself as a key player in linking Kazakhstan with North America. The situation also highlights the ongoing challenges facing the aviation industry, particularly regarding aircraft delivery timelines and the ripple effects these delays can have on carriers’ network expansion plans.
