In 2024, Kazakhstan made significant strides in modernizing its air transport infrastructure, opening three new passenger terminals at the airports of Almaty, Shymkent, and Kyzylorda. The upgrades are expected to expand the capacity of these airports, increase the number of air routes, and stimulate growth in passenger traffic. According to the Ministry of Transport, these developments will enhance domestic and international tourism while boosting the investment appeal of Kazakhstan’s regions.
The Role of Air Transport
As the world’s 9th-largest country, Kazakhstan relies heavily on air transport to complement its extensive railway network. Fast and efficient air travel is crucial for connecting the nation’s vast territories and integrating its economy into global markets.
New Terminals and Capacity Expansion
Almaty International Airport
The new terminal at Almaty International Airport, which opened on June 1, has increased the airport’s capacity from 2.5 million to 14 million passengers annually. Almaty Airport serves as a hub for domestic airlines such as Air Astana, SCAT, Qazaq Air, and Fly Arystan. It operates regular flights to 19 cities across Kazakhstan and offers international connections on 50 routes to 26 countries through 30 foreign airlines.
Shymkent Airport
In southern Kazakhstan, the new terminal at Shymkent Airport expanded the facility’s capacity from 800,000 to 6 million passengers per year. The airport now offers international flights to 10 destinations, including Jeddah and Medina (Saudi Arabia), Doha (Qatar), Phu Quoc (Vietnam), and Phuket (Thailand). The frequency of flights has also increased to 24 per week.
Kyzylorda International Airport
The new terminal at Kyzylorda International Airport in south-central Kazakhstan has raised its capacity from 300,000 to 2 million passengers per year. The airport now operates 25 domestic flights, significantly enhancing connectivity for the region.
Strategic Projects: Khorgos-Eastern Gate
Beyond passenger terminals, a $500 million project to construct a cargo-passenger airport at the Khorgos-Eastern Gate Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is underway. The project, led by the Kazakh-German consortium SKYHANSA, will position Kazakhstan as a critical link on the Western Europe–Western China highway and the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), which connects China and Europe.
The new airport will include:
- A passenger terminal capable of handling up to 500 passengers per hour.
- A cargo terminal with an annual capacity of 250,000 tons.
- A fuel storage facility with a capacity of 550,000 tons.
- A technical center for aircraft servicing.
- Tourism, shopping, and entertainment facilities.
This project underscores Kazakhstan’s commitment to expanding its role as a logistics and trade hub in Central Asia.
Growth in Air Transportation
The air transport sector in Kazakhstan continues to grow at a rate of 10-15% annually. In 2024, Kazakh airlines transported approximately 15 million passengers, while the nation’s airports served 30 million passengers. Cargo transportation also saw significant growth, with 28,000 tons transported in the same period.
Kazakhstan’s domestic airlines add 10-15 aircraft to their fleets each year, bringing the total fleet to 102 aircraft as of 2024.
Expanding International Connectivity
Kazakhstan operates 582 flights per week to 31 countries, including Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Georgia, Belarus, Azerbaijan, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, South Korea, China, India, and several European nations such as Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands. Other destinations include countries in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and South Asia, as well as Turkey and the Maldives.
The Ministry of Transport reports that Kazakhstan’s compliance with international flight safety standards is at 82%, the highest among CIS countries and comparable to European Union nations like Denmark and Poland.
Kazakhstan’s ongoing modernization of its civil aviation infrastructure is transforming the country into a major regional hub for air travel and logistics. By expanding airport capacity, developing new routes, and investing in strategic projects such as the Khorgos-Eastern Gate SEZ, Kazakhstan is not only improving connectivity but also enhancing its competitiveness as a destination for tourism and investment. These developments are poised to strengthen the country’s position as a key player in Central Asia’s economic and transportation networks.
