VietJet bets on one-stop Kazakhstan strategy to expand into Europe
April 27, 2026
Vietjet Qazaqstan, the new airline tie-up announced last year between Vietjet and Qazaq Air, plans to use Kazakhstan as part of a “one-stop strategy” to reach Europe, its Chief Commercial Officer has said.
Speaking at the Routes Asia 2026 event, Jay L Lingeswara said the carrier had a “parallel strategy” of optimising the current operation while at the same time working on expansion.
At the heart of this is a bolstering connections between Asia and Europe, using the Central Asian nation as a transit point.
“One of the key markets that we are looking at now is Europe,” Lingeswara told delegates at the event in Xi’an, China, “and that’s where our one‑stop strategy in Kazakhstan will kick off – from Vietnam to Kazakhstan and on to Europe.”
Vietjet and Qazaq Air tie-up
Vietjet and Qazaq Air announced plans for a strategic partnership in May 2025, to launch a new low-cost airline brand, Vietjet Qazaqstan, and facilitate closer ties between Vietnam and Kazakhstan.
The airline currently operates a fleet of five De Havilland Canada DHC-8-400, but plans a phased increase of its fleet through the introduction of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, bringing the total fleet size to 20 aircraft. This will help it to reach its target passenger traffic level of 7.5–8 million passengers by 2030.
The Boeing 737 aircraft will enable an expansion of its domestic and international route network. The CCO said the parent company was already well versed in operating a dual fleet, which stands it in good stead for flying both the Dash-400s and future 737 MAX aircraft.
Connecting Kazakhstan with the world
As the airline accelerates its international expansion, it is adopting a dual-track strategy.
“Kazakhstan is a frontier in terms of the new market to expand, especially as a gateway to Europe… it is not just about bringing traffic directly from Vietnam to Europe, but expanding Kazakhstan’s aviation market and operating domestic flights,” Lingeswara said.
“This will complement our existing network, where we are already very strong in Asia.”
The carrier has a number of European cities on its hit list. “Prague will be one of our first destinations, and we are also looking at Germany, France, Turkey and Egypt – from Vietnam and also from Kazakhstan.”
Lingeswara described the destinations being targeted in Europe from Vietnam as the “low‑hanging fruits”, where the Vietnamese diaspora is strongest. “That will give us a healthy ground to enter the European market,” he said.
The carrier also has further route expansions in its sights. “Our goal is to fly globally, and of course the North American market is always on our radar,” Lingeswara added.
“Once we have the right aircraft and the right proposition, that will be a big achievement for us.”
Fleet and route expansion
This year parent company VietJet is expecting deliveries of A330neos which will help the carrier operate non‑stop flights to Europe.
Vietnam’s largest private airline has placed a new order with Airbus for 20 widebody A330-900 aircraft, which will first be used to increase flights on high capacity routes across the Asia-Pacific region, and then to introduce future long haul services to Europe.
This capability will feed into Vietjet Qazaqstan’s expansion model, feeding passengers from Vietnam to Kazakhstan and then further afield.
The fleet and route expansion of both airlines will aid each other’s growth, and Lingeswara said the VietJet model can be replicated for the Kazakh operation as it establishes itself in the country.
“We always enter a market where there’s no one willing to fly, and we develop the market. That has been a proven formula for us,” he said.
Featured image: Boeing
