Kazakhstan is actively pursuing its ambition to become Central Asia’s premier aviation hub. According to Saltanat Tompiyeva, chair of the Civil Aviation Committee, the focus goes beyond infrastructure, emphasizing trust in safety, regulation, and consistent rules as key factors for global competitiveness.
Recent operations included evacuation flights from the Middle East, with 66 flights bringing over ten thousand citizens back to Kazakhstan, involving airlines such as Air Astana, FlyDubai, Air Arabia, and SCAT. These efforts highlight the country’s commitment to safety and operational efficiency.
Supporting ICAO’s strategic objectives, Kazakhstan seeks to double passenger traffic and freight volumes by 2040–2050. To do this, it plans to expand airport infrastructure, improve safety standards, and develop the aviation workforce through educational initiatives. The country’s high safety ratings, with 82% effectiveness in safety oversight and 95.7% compliance in security, underline its commitment to regulatory excellence.
Infrastructure projects include the modernization of airports in Almaty, Atyrau, and Aktau, as well as new regional airports and additional runways in Astana and Shymkent. The government aims to ensure balanced growth and long-term sustainability with the finalization of the Civil Aviation Master Plan through 2050, which will guide future development.
"Kazakhstan’s high level of flight safety remains the foundation of trust in its aviation system," Tompiyeva emphasized, reaffirming the country’s strategic goal of establishing itself as a trusted and competitive aviation hub in Central Asia.
