Kazakhstan Initiates Airport Building in Crucial Vacation Spots to Fuel Tourism Expansion
Kazakhstan Expands Airport Infrastructure and International Connectivity
Kazakhstan is making strides in airport infrastructure development, focusing on resort and economically strategic areas. Two new airports are under construction in the East Kazakhstan Region, with the Zaisan airport utilizing a former military airfield and the Katon-Karagay airport being built from scratch for the first time in Kazakhstan’s history. These projects are part of a broader national civil aviation development program, scheduled for completion by the end of 2025.
The combined investment for the two East Kazakhstan airports totals approximately US$224 million, and they are expected to create over 600 new jobs upon launch. The development program also includes four priority projects: the two airports in East Kazakhstan, a new airport in Kenderli (Mangystau Region), and the reconstruction of Arkalyk airport (Kostanai Region).
In addition to infrastructure development, Kazakhstan is expanding its international air connectivity. A notable example is the new direct route launched by Scat Airlines between Almaty and Minsk, operating twice a week, which strengthens Kazakhstan’s bilateral ties with Belarus and supports tourism and business exchanges.
The importance of Almaty Airport as a regional hub has been highlighted by the recent visit of the ICAO President, emphasizing the airport’s modernization and alignment with international standards.
Beyond traditional resort airports, Kazakhstan is integrating infrastructure development with unique tourism projects such as the commercialization of Soyuz rocket launches at Baikonur Cosmodrome, planned for 2028. This aligns with enhancing tourism appeal through aerospace activities adjacent to the country's transportation infrastructure.
Kazakhstan and ICAO are collaboratively developing a 25-year Master Plan for sustainable growth and infrastructure modernization in aviation, reflecting the country’s commitment to high standards and global integration of its aviation sector.
Recent developments include the opening of new passenger terminals in Almaty, Shymkent, and Kyzylorda last year. The Shymkent airport's capacity increased from 800,000 to six million passengers annually, while the Kyzylorda's Korkyt Ata international airport enhanced its capacity from 300,000 to two million passengers annually. The Almaty terminal's capacity was increased from 2.5 to 14 million passengers per year.
Domestic and foreign airlines currently operate flights to 26 countries on 50 routes from the Almaty terminal. The aim is to develop domestic tourism and passenger air transportation by 2025. A project with SKYHANSA, a Kazakh-German company, is currently underway to build a passenger terminal in the Khorgos - Eastern Gate special economic zone.
[1] Kazakh Invest [2] Trend.az [3] Aviation Pros [4] The Astana Times
- As Kazakhstan focuses on the modernization of its infrastructure, both resort and economically strategic areas will offer new opportunities for travelers, with two new airports in the East Kazakhstan Region set to boost tourism and business exchanges.
- With the revitalization of airports and the launch of new international routes, such as the direct flights between Almaty and Minsk, Kazakhstan's improved lifestyle and accessibility will make it an attractive destination for tourists and businesses alike.
