ASTANA, Kazakhstan, July 23. In the first half of 2025, Kazakhstani airlines transported 7.2 million passengers, which is 6 percent more compared to the same period last year, said Nurlan Sauranbayev, Minister of Kazakhstan’s Transport, during the Kazakh Government meeting, Trend reports.
According to him, the volume of passenger service at airports increased to 14.4 million people. Currently, domestic air transportation is carried out on 61 routes with a total frequency of 849 flights per week. In recent years, Kazakhstan has reconstructed 20 runways, 19 terminals, and built a new airport in Kazakhstan’s Turkestan.
In the course of the meeting, Sauranbayev reported that this year the aircraft fleet is expected to be replenished by 16 units, 6 of which have already been purchased.
“Overall, by the end of 2030, the fleet will increase to 221 units. It was also noted that in 2025, the opening and resumption of 36 routes is planned. In total, approximately $2.9 billion is expected to be attracted to the aviation industry within the framework of investment programs. The funds are planned to be directed to the implementation of large projects, in particular the construction of new airports in tourist zones - Katon-Karagai, Zaysan, Kenderli, as well as Arkalyk, reconstruction of 10 runways, 10 terminals, and updating the special equipment fleet,” said the minister.
The meeting also reviewed the progress of the initiative to create a cargo airline. The project is driven by the steady growth of the global air cargo market. Currently, the volume is 57.7 million tons, with about 15 percent of shipments passing through Kazakhstan’s airspace.
Moreover, Chairman of the Board of the Samruk-Kazyna fund, Nurlan Zhakupov, stated that based on global practice, the initial stage provides for the lease of three aircraft with a subsequent expansion of the fleet to ten units. The launch of the first flight under the national cargo carrier is expected in early 2026. It was noted that measures are planned to ensure fuel supply guarantees to maintain profitability.
Following the meeting, Kazakhstan's Prime Minister Olzhas Bektanov instructed to speed up all preparatory processes for the creation of a cargo airline.
