Almaty Airport expects new terminal to appear next year

Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov met with Serkan Kaptan, CEO of TAV Airports Holding, to discuss the new terminal at the Almaty International Airport.

«Almaty International Airport is one of the most important projects for us. It is located in the heart of Central Asia and plays an important role for both the city and the entire country. This is why we are going to proceed with its development. We hope that the new terminal will start operating next year,» Kaptan said during the meeting with Smailov.

In turn, the prime minister underlined that the new terminal is going to be a very effective tool to boost passenger traffic, expand the network of destinations and offer city residents and guests a higher level of comfort.

On October 4, 2022, the new owner of the airport demolished the old VIP terminal built in 1936 despite protests by many Almaty architects and activists, who suggested keeping the terminal. TAV responded that there is no room for the old building due to technical limitations and safety requirements in the airport. 

In December 2022, after a public outcry, the Office of the Prosecutor General promised to conduct an investigation.

Turkish TAV Holding acquired the Almaty International Airport in April 2021. Currently, the company controls 85% of the airport and affiliated suppliers of fuel and catering services. The remaining 15% of shares belong to the Kazakhstan Infrastructure Fund and are managed by VPE Capital.

In April 2023, the government took back a piece of commercial property in the passenger terminal of the Almaty International Airport. According to media reports, an unidentified company had illegally owned this property for 20 years.