By In a significant development for Kazakhstan aviation sector, Deputy Chairman of the nation’s Civil Aviation Committee, Sarsen Zharylgasov, has announced plans to inaugurate new terminals at three key airports across the country this summer. Speaking in an interview with 24KZ TV channel, Zharylgasov outlined the transformative impact these expansions will have on air travel within Kazakhstan.
The focal point of this expansion initiative lies in Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city, where a brand-new terminal is slated to open its doors in June. This eagerly anticipated addition is poised to bolster the airport’s capacity to accommodate up to 14 million passengers annually. Notably, Almaty’s current terminal was designed to handle a mere 2.5 million passengers per year, yet it admirably serviced 9.6 million travelers in 2023, underscoring the pressing need for expanded infrastructure.
Simultaneously, construction endeavors are nearing completion at airports in Shymkent and Kyzylorda, each poised to unveil state-of-the-art terminals. In Shymkent, a four-story terminal is set to dramatically enhance the airport’s capacity from 500,000 to 6 million passengers annually. The Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan reported that Shymkent Airport accommodated 1.5 million passengers in the first 10 months of 2023, underscoring the growing demand for air travel in the region.
Meanwhile, the introduction of a new passenger terminal in Kyzylorda promises to revolutionize air travel accessibility, enabling the airport to serve up to 250 passengers per hour.
Crucially, these ambitious infrastructure projects are being spearheaded by private investors, who have collectively poured 150 billion tenge (US$337 million) into these ventures. Zharylgasov emphasized the pivotal role of private investment in propelling Kazakhstan’s aviation sector forward, heralding a new era of growth and modernization.
In addition to these terminal expansions, the Kazakh government has undertaken various initiatives to enhance airport infrastructure nationwide. Projects include the refurbishment of the terminal in Pavlodar and the reconstruction of taxiways at Balkhash Airport in the Karaganda region.
Looking ahead, further enhancements are on the horizon, with private investors set to undertake the overhaul of the runway at Astana Airport from May to December.
The imperative for airport infrastructure development stems from the exponential growth of air traffic in Kazakhstan, which surged by 20% in the preceding year. Local airlines transported 13.3 million passengers, while airports collectively served 26 million passengers. This upward trajectory persisted into the first quarter of 2024, with 3.3 million passengers served, as articulated by Sarsen Zharylgasov.
With these ambitious expansion projects poised to redefine Kazakhstan’s aviation landscape, the nation is poised to cement its status as a burgeoning hub for air travel in the heart of Central Asia.
