KaNaganda Airport in Kazakhstan positions itself as an important transition center between Asia and Europe, and uses its strategic location and competitive advantages to attract cargo flow as a result of geopolitical and economic factors. For Karaganda Airport, it is a natural step to expand to the European market.
While Kazakhstan boasts a large area, its domestic market remains relatively small, with a population of just twenty million. “If we want to grow, we have to think worldwide,” said Erlan Ospanov, head of Council and owner of Karaganda Airport.
‘Kazakhstan alone is not enough. We must connect East and West, and Karaganda is placed in the heart of this trade corridor. “
Rather than targeting one specific European market, the purpose of Karaganda Airport is to serve as a bridge between China and Europe. This is in line with broader industry trends, where air cargo flow shifts due to a larger trade between Asia and Europe, and disruptions on traditional routes. Ospanov emphasized the lack of capacity in global air freight-especially the shortage of aircraft with broad body on key routes.
“We see two important issues in today’s air freight market: Limited capacity and high operating costs,” he explained. “Our location allows us to optimize routes and provide lower costs, making us an attractive alternative to airlines and logistical businesses.”
To meet these challenges, the Karaganda Airport is working on an extensive expansion of infrastructure, including:
• Upgrading of runway to handle heavier cargo aircraft.
• Extensive warehouse and fuel farm facilities.
• Introduction of a new facility for maintenance, repair and renovation (MRO).
• Streamlined customs and regulatory support to facilitate smoother cargo movement. Kazakhstan’s aviation regulations also offer an advantage, especially in traffic rights.
“Kazakh Air Services can use our airport as a transport point and access to traffic rights that are otherwise limited,” Ospanov noted.
“It opens new possibilities for carriers looking for cost-effective alternatives.” Karaganda, unlike many state -powered airports, is a major advantage in an industry where rapid decision -making and operational efficiency are crucial.
“We handle all services in the home, which means faster higher quality processes and service at competitive prices,” Ospanov emphasized. “Our jet fuel costs are significantly lower than in many European airports, making us an attractive option for carriers who want to reduce expenses.” In addition, Kazakhstan’s air traffic and navigation fees offer cost savings compared to other transit hubs, which further increases the airport’s attraction for global carriers. Despite its benefits, Karaganda is in the face of the well -established cargo.
“We are still relatively small compared to the giants in the industry,” Ospanov admitted. “But every big pivot starts somewhere, and we are committed to building a strong base for long -term growth.” He acknowledged that airport infrastructure still needs investments, with plans to expand cargo facilities and improve the connection to the surrounding regions. In addition, Kazakhstan’s regulatory environment, and Ospanov develops the importance of working with the government to create a more freight -friendly framework.
Master plan
The long-term vision of Karaganda Airport extends beyond just a transit center. Ospanov revealed plans to develop a full -scale cargo city, with the airport as the central logistics center surrounded by facilities for warehouses, manufacturing and cargo. “Our master plan stretches 20-30 years and ensures that we have a structured roadmap for sustainable growth,” he explained. “We want to create an extensive logistics ecosystem where businesses can seamlessly store, process and distribute.” • Key elements of the master plan include: • Extension of cargo terminals and storage facilities. • Additional taxi lane and fuel infrastructure. • Integration of new technologies for digitized cargo handling.
While five years has been in the aviation industry for a short time, Ospanov is confident that Karaganda Airport will become a well-known name in global logistics.
“Over the next five years, we will not compete with the biggest players, but we will establish ourselves as an important transit center that Global Carriers trust,” he said.
“We are not trying to replace traditional cargo nap – we provide a strategic alternative that increases global connectivity.”
