BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 7. Kazakhstan has significant potential to develop into an aviation hub for passenger and cargo traffic, but further progress in infrastructure development, operational cost competitiveness and long-term planning will be essential to strengthen the country’s position, Rafael Schvartzman, IATA Regional Vice President for Europe, told Trend in an exclusive interview.
According to Schvartzman, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) supports the ambitions of Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to transform the country into one of the region’s key aviation centers. “IATA applauds the ambitions of President Tokayev for Kazakhstan to become an aviation hub for passengers and cargo. Opportunities for growth certainly exist,” Schvartzman said.
At the same time, he noted that Kazakhstan’s current transit role remains below its potential. “Only 3% of passengers arriving in Kazakhstan are transiting to another country. And of the top ten most popular destinations from Kazakhstan, only one is in Western Europe, with none in India, China or the Americas,” he said.
According to the IATA representative, further development of Kazakhstan’s air connectivity will be an important factor in strengthening the country’s position on international routes.
IATA’s recently published report “Regional Air Connectivity in Kazakhstan: A 2025 Snapshot” highlights significant progress in the country’s aviation network over the past decade. The number of scheduled routes increased from 200 in 2015 to 295 in 2025, representing a 48% growth.
Kazakhstan is currently served by 42 airlines, up from 34 in 2015, with scheduled flights operating from 22 airports. In terms of route composition, 42% of scheduled routes are medium haul, 37% are short haul, and 11% are long haul.
The report also shows that 70% of today’s routes differ from those operated in 2015, reflecting a significant transformation of Kazakhstan’s air connectivity over the past decade. “Kazakhstan has the opportunity to capitalize on the global flows of passenger and cargo traffic while also positioning itself as a unique and attractive destination,” Schvartzman said.
Commenting on the agreement between KazMunayGas-Aero and ASL Airlines Belgium on aircraft refueling services at Almaty International Airport, Schvartzman said compliance with international standards is a fundamental requirement for airports serving global carriers. “International cargo airlines already expect airports handling international traffic to meet established safety, fuel quality, and operational standards for aircraft refuelling,” he said.
However, according to the IATA representative, strengthening Kazakhstan’s position as an aviation hub will also depend on improving the competitiveness of airport operating costs. “A bigger consideration for enhancing the attractiveness of Kazakhstan and Almaty is the competitiveness of airport operating costs, particularly fuel prices. With fuel prices in Kazakhstan still higher than those at similar hubs such as Dubai, further efforts are needed to eliminate this cost disadvantage and strengthen the country’s competitiveness as an aviation hub,” Schvartzman said.
Beyond passenger connectivity, Kazakhstan has also strengthened its role in regional air cargo transportation. According to Schvartzman, the country has become Central Asia’s primary air cargo gateway, with cargo volumes showing significant growth in recent years. “Latest data from IATA shows that Kazakhstan has consolidated its position as Central Asia’s primary air cargo gateway, with combined inbound, outbound and direct transit cargo volumes rising by 149% in 2024 compared with 2019,” he said.
He noted that the increase in outbound cargo flows reflects a broader transformation of the region’s role in global supply chains. “The sharp rise in outbound cargo volumes indicates that the region is evolving beyond simple technical stopovers toward more active connections and consolidation functions linking Europe and China,” Schvartzman said.
According to him, the further development of Almaty Airport’s infrastructure will be important for supporting Kazakhstan’s air cargo growth. The airport is currently implementing a $362 million (KZT 175 billion) modernization program aimed at expanding its capabilities. “As the country’s key hub, Almaty Airport’s $362 million investment program to overhaul its airport will be key to supporting this growth,” Schvartzman said.
He highlighted Almaty’s geographic advantages, particularly its proximity to China, as a factor supporting the airport’s potential in trans-Eurasian air corridors. “With conflict in the Middle East continuing, it is well placed to capture east-west traffic, particularly given Almaty’s proximity to China,” he said.
Schvartzman added that growing demand for efficient air routes between Europe and Asia creates additional opportunities for Kazakhstan to strengthen its position in international logistics networks.
He emphasized that continued investment in safety improvements and modern, affordable airport infrastructure, including facilities serving Astana, will play a key role in supporting a resilient aviation sector, strengthening tourism and boosting foreign direct investment.
According to the IATA representative, a long-term master plan is also essential to ensure that infrastructure development is coordinated and aligned with Kazakhstan’s ambition to become a leading aviation hub in Central Asia.
The development of air transportation is part of Kazakhstan’s broader efforts to enhance its role in global connectivity. Alongside rail and road corridors, aviation is becoming an increasingly important element in expanding links between European and Asian markets.
