President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev believes the country has strong potential to become the leading air hub in the region. To achieve this, he emphasized the need to boost both passenger and cargo transportation.
Speaking at an event dedicated to Transport Workers’ Day, the president highlighted that the most critical task in this sector is the development of air traffic. He noted that in the past year, airports in Almaty, Shymkent and Kyzylorda have significantly expanded their capacity through the launch of new terminals. For example, the Almaty airport increased its capacity from 2.5 million to 14 million passengers per year.
«At my request, three new airports are currently under construction in Zaysan, Katon-Karagay, and Kenderli, and restoration work has begun on the airport in Arkalyk. These projects will not only boost passenger traffic but also support the development of logistics, tourism, and trade, as well as promote a wide range of related industries. We are making consistent efforts to expand the route network. At present, Kazakhstan has direct flights to more than 30 countries. However, this is not sufficient, given our country’s full potential. We will continue to work on this issue,» Tokayev stated.
The president also underlined the importance of developing air cargo services and positioning Kazakhstan as a regional aviation hub.
«The government has announced plans to establish a national cargo airline. In general, the development of civil aviation and air cargo transportation in Kazakhstan extends far beyond transportation alone. This is a strategic direction that directly impacts our economic growth, international standing and the strengthening of our national sovereignty,» he added.
Tokayev initially called for the creation of an international air hub in Kazakhstan in January 2025.
