Luxembourg’s Cargolux resumes cargo flights to Astana
Cargolux, Luxembourg's cargo airline and one of Europe's largest, resumed operations in Kazakhstan on 1 June 2026 — its aircraft are making technical stops at Astana International Airport, with a view to moving into full commercial cargo operations.
The plans became known after a meeting between Cargolux President and CEO Richard Forson and Kazakhstan's ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg, Roman Vassilenko, at which the two sides discussed the airline's return to the Kazakh market and its role in developing the country as a regional air-cargo hub. At the initial stage this means refuelling and technical maintenance, but the parties are considering expanding cooperation to full cargo handling at the airport.
Cargolux plans to eventually operate up to 14 flights a week via Astana — a route that fits into the development of the Trans-Caspian International Route (the Middle Corridor), which Kazakhstan is promoting as a link between Europe and Asia. Luxembourg's cumulative direct investment in Kazakhstan since 2005 has exceeded $3.8 billion.
Why this matters for Chamber members. The return of a major European cargo carrier isn't just about aviation — it's a signal to business that the logistics link between BeNeLux and Kazakhstan is getting shorter and more reliable, opening new opportunities for companies trading through the region.
