Kazakhstan weighs establishing single jet fuel company
According to Minister of Transportation Marat Karabayev, Kazakhstan needs a single company responsible for the supply of jet fuel to airports and other market participants throughout the country.
«The supply of jet fuel is one of the most crucial issues for us. Currently, Kazakhstani airports are compelled to acquire jet fuel from neighboring countries. To resolve the problem of shortages of fuel, we are proposing the establishment of a single company responsible for the task. This would allow us to remove ineffective mediators, stabilize fuel supply, and offer our prices on jet fuel for flights going by transit via Kazakhstan,» the minister said during a meeting with members of parliament.
He also noted that the government is going to make further efforts to promote civil aviation by upgrading bulk fuel installations and passenger and cargo terminals. So far, the transit cargo shipment between Europe and Asia through Kazakhstan accounts for 2% in terms of volume and 22% in monetary terms.
One of the most prospective multimodal airline hubs in Kazakhstan is the Aktau airport, available for cargo transshipment by all types of transportation. In 2023, the airport processed 2.7 million tons of cargo and plans to process 4.6 million tons this year (+70%). Moreover, the airport rendered services to 1.5 million passengers last year, aiming to boost this rate to 1.7 million in 2024 (+9%). All in all, the gateway services 156 regular flights, including 51 international flights.
Even though Kazakhstan already has a single company responsible for the supply of oil products, called KazMunayGas-Aero LLP, a subsidiary of the national oil company KazMunayGas, it works only with the armed forces of Kazakhstan, the Border Service under the National Security Committee and other state structures. Meanwhile, private businesses acquire jet fuel on the open market. Airlines, in particular, are compelled to import the fuel, as Kazakhstan’s oil refinery industry doesn’t cover all the demand for jet fuel.
