Luxembourg-based Cargolux Airlines International SA is returning to Kazakhstan, with plans to operate up to 14 weekly flights through Astana International Airport from 1 June 2026 as the country seeks to strengthen its role as a cargo link between Europe and Asia.

The Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Kingdom of Belgium stated that the first phase would involve technical stops for refuelling and maintenance. The parties are also considering a later move to full commercial cargo operations, including cargo handling services at Astana Airport.

The return comes as Luxembourg and Kazakhstan seek to deepen political and economic ties, with logistics, aviation and technology emerging as areas of cooperation. Roman Vassilenko, Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg, also discussed projects in digital technologies, aviation logistics and innovation with Luxembourg-based companies.

The embassy noted that the flights are intended to improve transport connectivity, increase cargo turnover and support Kazakhstan’s position on the Middle Corridor. It also linked the development of international cargo air connectivity to instructions from the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, to strengthen the country’s transit potential, develop the transport sector and position Kazakhstan as a Eurasian logistics hub.

In September 2025, Tokayev and Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden met on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, a meeting Kazakh officials later described as giving new impetus to bilateral relations. More recently, Xavier Bettel, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, held a bilateral meeting with Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister, Yermek Kosherbayev, during the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in April 2026.

Richard Forson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cargolux, stated that Kazakhstan had invested significant resources in strengthening its transit and transport potential. He added that Cargolux was interested in contributing further to transport routes between Asia and Europe and in deepening cooperation with Kazakhstan as a partner on the Middle Corridor.