The Atyrau airport in Kazakhstan has introduced an Open Skies regime, which is expected to increase competition among airlines and potentially lower ticket prices for residents of the region, the Ak Zhaik newspaper reported.
Kairat Nurtayev, deputy akim (governor) of the Atyrau region, said the regime will have a positive impact on the airport’s development and the regional economy. Subsequently, the number of domestic and international flights is expected to increase, including new direct routes to Western Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
The construction of a 16,500-square-meter terminal facility is scheduled for this year. The project envisions equipping the terminal with three jet bridges and expanding the takeoff and landing area. With the launch of the new terminal, the airport’s passenger traffic may increase from 1.2 million to 6 million people a year.
Open Skies agreements are aviation accords that liberalize air travel by granting international and domestic airlines greater access to a country’s or region’s airspace and airports.
