Air Astana Launches Direct Flights to Jeddah and Medina

Air Astana will start offering direct flights from Kazakhstan to Saudi Arabia.

Specfically, beginning October 1, 2024, it will operate direct flights between Shymkent to Jeddah twice weekly and Shymkent to Medina. This underscores the carrier’s expansion plans from a major Kazakh city to important religious and economic destinations in Saudi Arabia. Moreover, this reflects the airline’s commitment to expanding its global network.

Air Astana will operate the Shymkent-Jeddah flights from October 1 to 28. After this period, one of the twice-weekly Shymkent-Jeddah flights will become a once-weekly flight between Shymkent to Medina.

In addition to the Shymkent flights to Jeddah and Medina, Air Astana will also offer a new flight between Almaty to Medina. This new service starts operating starting October 29, 2024.

Jeddah and Medina as destinations

By availing of the Air Astana direct flights to Jeddah, they can experience its wealth of cultural and natural wonders.

Jeddah is a popular destination for the yearly Jeddah Season, which runs from the late spring or summer months. It features an assortment of activities, attractions, exhibitions, shows, cuisines, shops, and more.

Jeddah is also home to the Historic Jeddah District, a UNESCO World Heritage site. In 2024, it celebrated its tenth year on the prestigious list. The district continuously undergoes restoration work to improve its infrastructure, service facilities, recreational areas, commercial spaces, and the like.

Moreover, Jeddah serves as Saudi Arabia’s second largest city and its economic capital. Some of its most famous attractions include the King Fahd’s Fountain, Red Sea beaches, and the ancient city of Al-Balad. Travelers flying via Air Astana can easily travel from Mecca to Jeddah via a one-hour high-speed train.

Medina, meanwhile, is the second holiest city in Islam. It is where the Prophet Muhammad established the Muslim community and where his tomb lies.

About the new Air Astana flights

These new Air Astana flights between Shymkent to Jeddah and Medina and Almaty to Medina will be aboard Airbus A321LR aircraft. These aircraft feature wider cabin space, a modern in-flight entertainment system, 50 percent less cabin noise, and improved fuel efficiency. They have 16 seats in the business class section and 150 seats in the economy class section.

Business class travelers can enjoy improved privacy, premium dining, and exclusive lounge access. Economy class passengers, meanwhile, get comfortable seats, an array of meal options, and in-flight entertainment.

The Air Astana flights from Shymkent to Jeddah and Shymkent to Medina takes around five hours and 35 minutes. Flying from Almaty to Medina, meanwhile, takes approximately six hours and 10 minutes.

The round-trip economy flight from Shymkent to Jeddah costs at least USD 656, while that from Shymkent to Medina costs USD 646. The round-trip economy flight from Almaty to Medina, on the other hand, costs USD 705.

For passengers flying on these Air Astana flights, they must first secure a Saudi electronic visa (e-visa). Travelers can easily avail of the Saudi e-visa online.

Photo: X/Air Astana