The construction of new airports in the Katon-Karagai and Zaisan districts of eastern Kazakhstan is entering its final phase. For these remote region, once accessible only by winding mountain roads, the arrival of runways, terminals, and control towers marks a historic milestone.
But these projects are more than just transportation infrastructure. They are poised to become engines of regional development, restoring the area’s appeal to both tourists and investors.
An Airport in the Mountains
Katon-Karagai is the heart of Kazakhstan’s Altai region. Between the villages of Belkaragai and Ornek, a large-scale construction effort is underway to build a modern airport complex.
Spanning 266 hectares, the project includes a 2,260 meter runway, a terminal, a command-and-control center, and state-of-the-art navigation and meteorological equipment. According to project manager Nurzhan Eskendirov, 80% of the work is now complete. “Next summer, we will lay the final layer of asphalt. This airport is not just a construction project, it’s a new chapter in the region’s history,” he told TSA.
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For local residents, the construction has become the event of the decade. Workers from across the country have joined the effort.
“The nature here is simply amazing,” said one of the builders, Manash Baigonov. “I want people from all over the world to be able to see it.”
Katon-Karagai is renowned for its pristine lakes, snow-covered peaks, and protected nature reserves. The airport will drastically reduce travel time, making the region far more accessible to tourists who previously faced hours of rugged road travel.
Zaisan: The Eastern Gateway
In the Zaisan district, another major airport project is nearing completion near the village of Satpay. The runway and apron are fully finished, the drainage system is being finalized, and terminal and control tower construction is ongoing.
This airport is expected to play a vital role in expanding cross-border tourism and logistics. Currently, Zaisan receives about 20,000 tourists annually, a number that could increase four- to five-fold once the airport opens.
Regular flights are planned to Ust-Kamenogorsk, Almaty, and Astana, with future international routes to Urumqi in China and Lake Kanass. This would position Zaisan as Kazakhstan’s “eastern gateway,” linking the country to China not only by road, but also by air.
“The airport is creating new routes, but more importantly, it’s creating meaning,” said one of the project’s designers. “It’s not just a runway, it’s the take-off of a region.”
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From Roads to People
Airport development is also driving broader infrastructure upgrades. A new road to the village of Urunkhaika on Lake Markakol, planned in partnership with China’s Heilongjiang Province Bada Road, will connect even more of Altai’s secluded landscapes to the broader transport network. Until now, many of these areas were accessible only by footpaths.
These infrastructure projects are transforming not just the regional map, but daily life. In Katon-Karagai, which was once served only by narrow serpentine roads and sporadic buses, officials are now preparing for the arrival of investors, climbers, photographers, and nature lovers. In Zaisan, a revival is underway, with new hotels, cafes, artisan workshops, and jobs expected to follow the airport’s launch.
These developments are part of a wider strategy for Eastern Kazakhstan, where tourism, logistics, and environmental stewardship form a unified platform for growth.
The Katon-Karagai and Zaisan airports will serve as key links in this infrastructure, a kind of anchor, enabling tourists and entrepreneurs from across Kazakhstan and beyond to reach the heart of the Altai in just hours.
Ultimately, the Zaisan airport represents a gateway to international trade and cross-border cooperation, while Katon-Karagai’s airport is a bridge between nature and civilization, an opportunity to showcase the unique beauty that defines Kazakhstan.
