Lufthansa Presents Temporary Suspension Of Kazakhstan Services Due To Fleet Shortages
Lufthansa has announced the temporary suspension of its Kazakhstan services as part of the Winter 2025/26 schedule as the German national carrier continues to experience issues with aircraft deliveries that are impacting the supply chain. Flights between Frankfurt to Astana (Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport) and, Almaty International Airport, will be suspended between October 26, 2025, and – March 29, 2026.
In a statement, the airline said, “Like many airlines globally, Lufthansa is facing aircraft delivery delays and supply chain challenges that are hindering fleet renewal and growth, while also impacting the operational stability of our existing fleet.”
At present, Lufthansa operates five weekly flights to Kazakhstan using Airbus A330-300 and A340-300 aircraft. The current schedule includes:
- Two flights on the Frankfurt–Almaty–Astana–Frankfurt route
- Two flights on the Frankfurt–Astana–Almaty–Frankfurt route
- One weekly nonstop service to Astana
The airline has yet to confirm whether it will reinstate services to Kazakhstan for the Summer 2026 season, as planning for next year’s schedule is still underway.
Lufthansa has reiterated that providing a reliable and efficient flight schedule this winter remains its utmost priority. The airline has already implemented several operational initiatives during the summer, including allowing for longer connection times and the use of backup aircraft to minimize disruptions.
Delays in the handover of new widebody aircraft (primarily the Boeing 787-9) have prompted Lufthansa to re-evaluate its long-term fleet strategy, including adjourning the retirement of its Airbus A340-600 from 2025 to 2026.
In terms of its current widebody fleet data from ch-aviation, Lufthansa operates a mix of BMW operated aircraft;
- 7 × Airbus A330-300
- 17 × Airbus A340-300
- 15 × Airbus A340-600
- 30 × Airbus A350-900
- 8 × Airbus A380-800
- 8 × Boeing 747-400
- 19 × Boeing 747-8
- 5 × Boeing 787-9
In Kazakhstan, the airline’s specific decision to pause its operations mirrors the ongoing challenges many airlines in the wider industry face as global supply chains tighten, and as a result of potential delays in aircraft handovers continue to mount.
