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Investments Aviation Germany Khorgos Airports zhetysu region Skyhansa Airport

German Firm to Build New Cargo and Passenger Airport in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister, Olzhas Bektenov, has met with Dr. Christine Grötzbach, board member and co-founder of the German aviation company Skyhansa, to finalize the construction timeline for a new cargo and passenger airport in the Zhetysu region. The first phase of the project is expected to be completed by 2027. The facility will be built within the Khorgos - Eastern Gate special economic zone (SEZ), located on Kazakhstan’s border with China. The project envisions the creation of a multifunctional aviation hub designed to meet ICAO international standards and will be developed in phases, according to a government announcement. The initiative is being carried out under a framework agreement between Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport and the Kazakh-German consortium Skyhansa. On the German side, the project is led by the Hansa Consortium, an aviation infrastructure specialist, while the Kazakh side is represented by Skymax Technologies, a regional logistics and infrastructure operator active in Central Asia and the Caucasus. The total investment in the airport project is projected at $500 million. Dr. Grötzbach emphasized that the vision extends far beyond a standard airport facility. “We are creating not just an airport, but a comprehensive infrastructure: cargo and passenger terminals, a fuel and refueling complex, an aviation technical center, a business center, and hotels,” she stated. “Its strategic location near China, combined with access to rail and road transport, positions it as a key logistics node on the New Silk Road.” Bektenov echoed this sentiment, stating that the project will significantly enhance Kazakhstan’s transport and logistics capabilities. “The implementation of this project will give a powerful impetus to the development of transport infrastructure and reinforce Kazakhstan’s role as a bridge between China, Central Asia, and Europe,” he said. This announcement follows a similar initiative by Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport, which recently signed an investment agreement with Terminals Astana Airport Limited, a subsidiary of a UAE-based holding company. That project involves a $1.1 billion investment in the development of the Astana Aerotropolis, as reported by The Times of Central Asia.

EU Black List Aviation Civil Aviation Kyrgyz Airlines

Kyrgyzstan’s Aviation Authorities Await Removal from EU Blacklist

Kyrgyzstan’s State Civil Aviation Agency has announced that auditors from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) will visit the country on March 9 to assess the possibility of lifting the EU’s long-standing flight ban on Kyrgyz airlines. Kyrgyz airlines have been on the EU’s aviation blacklist since 2006, with repeated but unsuccessful attempts by the country’s authorities to resolve the issue. The EU has cited multiple concerns, including shortcomings in Kyrgyzstan’s aviation legislation, inadequate inspector training, and a lack of flight crew development programs. The aging aircraft fleet has also been a key factor in maintaining the ban. Over the past two years, Kyrgyzstan has undergone two separate aviation audits, one focused on flight safety and another on aviation security. “Flight safety covers everything related to flight operations, while aviation security deals with protecting airports and aircraft from illegal interference,” explained Daniyar Bostonov, director of the State Civil Aviation Agency. According to Bostonov, Kyrgyzstan has been working since 2017 to meet all EU requirements. Hundreds of industry documents have been translated into English to demonstrate transparency and regulatory compliance. Bostonov believes the country now meets international aviation standards, and a final decision on Kyrgyzstan’s removal from the blacklist is expected in November 2025 at a meeting of the European Parliament’s Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN). “The question is no longer whether we will be removed from the EU blacklist - it is a certainty. We may just need to submit some additional documents to the European Parliament,” Bostonov stated. If the ban is lifted, Kyrgyzstan will be able to resume direct flights to the European Union and gain access to more favorable aircraft leasing agreements. “For example, if an Airbus aircraft is sold for $1,000, that price remains the same for non-blacklisted countries. However, if it is delivered to a blacklisted state, the price can drop to $800, which discourages investors,” Bostonov explained. Further supporting the possibility of removal from the blacklist, Manas International Airport recently became a member of ACI Europe, an organization representing over 500 airports across the continent.

Aviation Low-cost airlines Open skies policy New routes

Four New Foreign Low-Cost Carriers to Launch Flights from Kazakhstan

Four new low-cost airlines are set to enter Kazakhstan’s aviation market, further expanding the country’s international air connectivity, according to Vice Minister of Transport Talgat Lastayev. Lastayev highlighted that the number of international flights to and from Kazakhstan has been increasing annually. The country currently has air links with 31 countries and 58 cities, operating 119 international routes. In 2024, 12 new flights were introduced across 22 routes, including major cities such as Mumbai (India), Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), and Prague (Czech Republic). Additionally, flights on 10 previously suspended routes were resumed. In 2025, Kazakhstan plans to launch flights to 16 new destinations, including Rome, Munich, Budapest, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Busan. The country’s low-cost flight options will also expand with the arrival of four new budget airlines: SpiceJet (India) Eastar Jet (South Korea) T’way Air (South Korea) Thai AirAsia (Thailand) The entry of these carriers is expected to make international travel more affordable for passengers. Lastayev also noted that Kazakhstan’s “open skies” policy, aimed at liberalizing the aviation sector, was expanded in 2024 to include airports in Kyzylorda, Kostanay, and Atyrau. The policy is now in effect at all of Kazakhstan’s international airports.

Aviation Air Crash Investigation Center

Kazakhstan to Establish Air Crash Investigation Center

Kazakhstan will establish a specialized center for investigating air incidents by the end of the year, Deputy Transport Minister Talgat Lastayev announced during a government meeting. The decision follows the crash of an Azerbaijani AZAL Airlines aircraft near Aktau in December last year, which prompted an inspection of domestic airlines. According to Lastayev, air accident investigation is one of the eight critical safety parameters assessed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and Kazakhstan currently scores 51% in this area, the lowest among all indicators. "To improve the situation, we plan to establish a specialized air accident investigation center by the end of the year, equipping it with highly qualified specialists and the necessary technical resources," Lastayev said. Kazakh aviation authorities are also preparing a report on the AZAL Embraer 190 crash near Aktau. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, a preliminary investigation into the incident revealed evidence of external impact on the aircraft's fuselage while it was approaching Grozny Airport before continuing to Aktau. Experts identified multiple perforations and non-penetrating damages of various shapes and sizes in the tail section, vertical stabilizer, horizontal stabilizer, elevator, and rudder. However, the final report on the crash has yet to be released. Lastayev also noted that inspections were conducted not only on airlines but also on major airports in Aktau, Astana, Almaty, Shymkent, Pavlodar, and Ust-Kamenogorsk. Assessing the response of Aktau Airport staff during the AZAL crash, he stated that their actions were carried out "at the highest level." Additionally, Lastayev highlighted staffing challenges in Kazakhstan’s civil aviation sector. Of the 1,500 pilots working for domestic airlines, 400 are foreign, as Kazakhstan is forced to rely on foreign personnel due to the lack of an EASA PART-FCL certification at the Almaty Academy of Civil Aviation. Kazakhstan's domestic air transport network is currently served by six airlines operating 56 routes. Each year, Kazakh airlines acquire approximately 10 to 15 new aircraft, with the national fleet now totaling 104 planes.

Aviation Civil Aviation international flights ICAO

ICAO to Develop Master Plan for Kazakhstan’s Civil Aviation

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) have signed an agreement to develop a strategic Master Plan for the Development of Kazakhstan’s Civil Aviation through 2050. The plan will outline a comprehensive strategy for the country’s civil aviation sector, covering the development of airports, air navigation systems, and airlines. It will also focus on improving flight safety, aviation security, accessibility, and the liberalization of air transport. Kazakhstan is the first country in Central Asia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) to establish a strategic partnership with ICAO for the sustainable development and modernization of its civil aviation sector. The initiative aligns with national objectives to enhance Kazakhstan’s role as a regional transit and transport hub. According to the Ministry of Transport, domestic airlines carried 14.3 million passengers in 2024, a 9% increase from 2023. Passenger traffic at Kazakhstan’s airports also grew by 14%, reaching 29.7 million people. Kazakhstan currently operates 582 flights per week to 31 countries, including Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Georgia, Belarus, Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, South Korea, China, India, and several European nations such as Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands. Additional destinations include countries in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, South Asia, Turkey, and the Maldives.

Economy International Cooperation economic public transport Air Transport Aviation

Uzbekistan to Launch VIP Air Taxi Service in Partnership with UAE’s JETEX

During President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s official visit to the United Arab Emirates on January 13, Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Transport signed a memorandum of cooperation with JETEX, a leading UAE-based aviation services company. The agreement, signed by Uzbekistan’s Minister of Transport Ilkhom Makhkamov and JETEX founder Adel Mardini, sets the stage for ambitious projects in Uzbekistan’s civil aviation sector. One of the cornerstone initiatives involves JETEX providing Fixed Base Operator (FBO) services for VIP and CIP (Commercially Important Passenger) customers at Tashkent-East Airport through a public-private partnership. This project will also include the repair, sale, and maintenance of small aircraft, along with the launch of VIP air taxi services. These efforts aim to strengthen Uzbekistan’s tourism industry and elevate the travel experience for high-end customers. According to officials, the project is expected to improve the quality of passenger services and enhance Tashkent’s reputation as an attractive and prestigious destination. Moreover, it is anticipated to generate over 200 jobs in Uzbekistan’s business aviation sector, contributing to the nation’s economic growth. Founded in 2005, JETEX has become a global leader in business aviation services, with operations in over 50 locations across the Middle East, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa, and the Americas. The company’s expertise in Fixed Base Operator services ensures reliable and sustainable growth in the business aviation sector. Fixed Base Operators (FBOs) provide essential airport services such as aircraft refueling, parking, hangar maintenance, repair, charter sales, and other aviation-related services. These facilities cater to private and business aviation, ensuring high-quality services for operators and passengers. The partnership with JETEX marks a significant step forward in modernizing Uzbekistan’s aviation infrastructure and expanding its footprint in the global business aviation market.