Kazakhstan Initiates Airport Building in Prominent Holiday Destinations to Boost Tourism Expansion
Expanding Kazakhstan's Aviation Infrastructure: New Airports Under Construction
In a bid to boost aviation infrastructure and establish Kazakhstan as a leading regional air hub, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has announced the construction of new airports in Zaisan, Katon-Karagay, and Kendirli. This is part of a broader strategic plan for aviation growth that also includes expansions and modernization at major airports like Almaty International Airport.
The announcement comes in response to the President's directive to develop domestic tourism and passenger air transportation by 2025. Last year, Kazakhstan launched three new passenger terminals in Almaty, Shymkent, and Kyzylorda.
As of August 2025, the construction of these new airports is actively underway. However, detailed progress reports or completion forecasts have not been publicly released. The projects aim to support not just passenger traffic but also air cargo and regional connectivity. They form part of President Tokayev’s vision to establish Kazakhstan as a leading air hub in Eurasia by 2050.
Meanwhile, the Almaty terminal now operates flights to 26 countries on 50 routes, and the capacity of the new terminal at Shymkent airport has increased from 800,000 to six million passengers annually. In Kyzylorda, the Korkyt Ata international airport has enhanced its capacity from 300,000 to two million passengers annually, and now operates 25 domestic flights. The number of international air routes from Shymkent airport has been increased to ten.
Furthermore, a project with SKYHANSA, a Kazakh-German company, is currently underway to build a passenger terminal in the Khorgos - Eastern Gate special economic zone. This development is expected to contribute to the growth of air traffic and regional connectivity in the area.
The airport construction was reported by the Transport Ministry on Jan. 22, and the expansion of air traffic and capacities is in line with the government's focus on supporting domestic tourism and passenger air transportation. With these new airports and terminal expansions, Kazakhstan is poised to become a significant player in the aviation industry in the region.
The new airports under construction in Zaisan, Katon-Karagay, and Kendirli, part of President Tokayev's broader strategic plan, aim to not only support growing passenger traffic but also air cargo and regional connectivity, contributing to Kazakhstan's vision of becoming a leading air hub within Eurasia by 2050. The development of these new airports is in line with the government's focus to bolster domestic tourism and passenger air transportation, aligning with the President's directive for growth in these sectors by 2025.
