AJet has announced two new direct links between Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport and Kazakhstan for January 2027. The airline says Almaty services will begin on 5 January and Astana services on 7 January, each operating twice a week. For international travellers and businesses, the routes add a low-cost-carrier option between Türkiye and Central Asia. They depart from SAW on Istanbul's Asian side, not Istanbul Airport (IST), an important distinction for self-connections.
Almaty flights are scheduled for Tuesdays and Sundays
The Sabiha Gökçen–Almaty route is due to start on Tuesday, 5 January 2027, with flights on Tuesdays and Sundays. The announcement specifies two weekly frequencies but does not publish departure times, aircraft type, introductory fares or a seasonal end date. A date appearing in a launch announcement is not a substitute for a confirmed ticket and date-specific timetable.
Astana flights are scheduled for Mondays and Thursdays
The Sabiha Gökçen–Astana service is planned from Thursday, 7 January 2027, on Mondays and Thursdays. AJet already serves Almaty and Astana from Ankara and says those frequencies will also increase, but the announcement does not give the revised Ankara timetable. Travellers should avoid inferring extra days until they appear in the airline's booking system.
Check the Istanbul airport code before connecting
SAW and IST are on opposite sides of the Istanbul metropolitan area. A ticket arriving at IST and leaving from SAW normally requires a road transfer, baggage collection and a generous buffer; it is not an airside connection. If flights are on separate bookings, disruption protection may also be limited. Compare the complete itinerary, not only the headline fare.
The route improves access, not entry rights
A direct flight does not change passport, visa, residence or customs rules for Türkiye or Kazakhstan. Requirements depend on nationality, travel purpose and length of stay. Check official consular guidance for both countries and confirm whether baggage is checked through, especially on separately ticketed journeys.
What to verify before paying
Search the exact travel date and airport code, then record the operating carrier, local departure time, baggage allowance, change terms and transfer plan. Winter weather can affect operations in both Kazakhstan and Istanbul. The defensible conclusion is that AJet has announced two twice-weekly routes for January 2027; it is not a guarantee that every advertised fare or connection will remain unchanged.