On 13 - 14 August 2026, negotiations between the aviation authorities of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Republic of Turkey were held in Istanbul, Turkey. The Kazakh delegation was headed by Saltanat Tompiyeva, Chairperson of the Civil Aviation Committee of the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan, while the Turkish delegation was headed by Professor Dr. Kemal Yüksek, Director General of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation of the Republic of Türkiye.

Following the negotiations, on 14 August 2026, the parties signed a new Memorandum of Understanding in the field of civil aviation aimed at further strengthening cooperation and expanding air connectivity between the two countries.

Under the agreements reached, the number of permitted flights on the main routes (from Istanbul to Astana, Almaty and Shymkent, and from Ankara to Astana and Almaty) has been increased from 76 to 138 flights per week for the airlines of both sides.

On tourist routes (from Antalya and Bodrum to cities in Kazakhstan), the number of permitted flights has increased from 44 to 86 flights per week.

The total number of permitted flights on the above-mentioned routes has increased from 120 to 224 flights per week.

On all other routes, the airlines of both sides will be permitted to operate up to 14 flights per week, creating favorable conditions for expanding direct air connectivity and enhancing regional connectivity.

The parties also reached an agreement to operate up to 76 cargo flights for the airlines of both sides, with the use of fifth freedom traffic rights to carry traffic to third countries.

At the same time, during the negotiations, the parties agreed to intensify cooperation across a broad range of civil aviation areas, including the state regulation of air transport, flight safety and aviation security, the investigation of aviation accidents and incidents, airport infrastructure development, and the digitalization of the sector. The agreements reached represent another important step in the development of the strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and Turkey.

The expansion of air connectivity will help meet the growing demand for air travel, create new opportunities for passengers and businesses, contribute to the further growth of tourist flows, strengthen trade and economic ties, and promote cooperation between the two friendly countries.