Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia raise weekly flight quota from 28 to 70
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Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia signed an air services agreement on August 26 in Riyadh, raising the weekly flight quota from 28 to 70. The agreement was signed by Kazakhstan's Deputy Transport Minister Talgat Lastayev and Saudi Arabia's acting civil aviation chief Sulaiman bin Ahmed Albassam. Carriers plan to launch a direct Astana–Riyadh route and expand services to other Saudi cities.
Key Facts
- The weekly flight quota between Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia increased from 28 to 70 under the new agreement.
- The agreement was signed on August 26 in Riyadh by Deputy Transport Minister Talgat Lastayev and acting civil aviation chief Sulaiman bin Ahmed Albassam.
- A one-way ticket from Astana to Riyadh costs between 118,000 and 146,000 tenge from August through late September, according to Aviasales.
- A six-night stay in Riyadh from September 7 to 13 starts at about 53,000 tenge at La Casa Beduina Hostel and reaches about 598,000 tenge at voco Riyadh by IHG.
- Kazakhstan's Transport Ministry expects the expansion to boost tourism, business ties, investment, and cultural cooperation.
Agreement Details
The air services agreement was signed on August 26 in Riyadh by Kazakhstan's Deputy Transport Minister Talgat Lastayev and Saudi Arabia's acting president of the General Authority of Civil Aviation Sulaiman bin Ahmed Albassam. The agreement raises the permitted number of regular flights between the two countries from 28 to 70 per week. Based on the new arrangements, airlines plan to open direct regular service between Astana and Riyadh and to increase routes between Kazakhstan and other Saudi cities. The Transport Ministry expects the expansion to support tourism, business and trade ties, investment, and cultural cooperation. The quota increase does not mean all 70 weekly flights are already on sale; it reflects expanded permitted frequency and carrier plans.
Travel Costs
A one-way ticket from Astana to Riyadh costs from about 118,000 tenge to 146,000 tenge between August and late September, according to Aviasales. A round trip would require roughly 236,000 to 292,000 tenge per person for airfare alone. For a six-night stay from September 7 to 13, the cheapest option with a rating of at least 7 on Booking is a shared room at La Casa Beduina Hostel for about 53,000 tenge. A mid-range or higher option such as voco Riyadh by IHG costs about 598,000 tenge for the same six nights. Accommodation is the main factor that can significantly change the total trip budget.
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Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia raise weekly flight quota from 28 to 70
