ASTANA, Kazakhstan, February 26. The Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan continues work to modernize airport infrastructure, said Transport Minister Marat Karabayev, Trend reports.
He made the remark during a meeting of the ministry’s board, where he voiced the main goals for the development of domestic aviation, planned for 2025.
"This year it is planned to complete the construction of new passenger terminals at the airports of Shymkent, Kyzylorda and Almaty. As a result, the capacity of Almaty airport will increase 5 times (up to 14 million passengers), Kyzylorda - 6 times (up to 2 million) and Shymkent - 7 times (up to 6 million)," he said.
As the minister noted, an investor from the UAE will begin repairing the runway of Astana's airport at his own expense, which is one of the priorities set for the new management company.
In addition, work will also begin on the reconstruction of the runway of the airport in the city of Pavlodar and the perron and taxiway of the airport in the city of Balkhash.
"To create multimodal centers at the country's airports, comprehensive work is being carried out to attract private investors. By the end of 2025, it is planned to increase the aircraft fleet by 25 units. To resolve the issue of jet fuel shortage, the amount of imported jet fuel will be increased, including the JET A-1 grade. For this purpose, the fueling complex of Almaty airport, after modernization - from June 2024 - switches to the use of this type of aviation fuel," the minister said.
Marat Karabayev pointed out that the remaining airports will switch to using this grade of fuel consistently, taking into account their capabilities and needs.
"To eliminate intermediary structures that influence the final cost of aviation fuel, the ministry is exploring the issue of direct purchases from refineries. In general, all instructions from the President of Kazakhstan and the tasks facing the industry will be completed in a timely manner, including measures to provide aviation fuel, create multimodal hubs, increase the availability of air transportation and replenish the aircraft fleet. As a result, in the next 6 years we will increase the number of passengers transported by 2 times and the volume of cargo processed by 7 times," the minister added.