Kazakhstan

Market overview

Kazakhstan is Central Asia's largest air market. Its airports handled 32 million passengers and 173,000 tonnes of cargo in 2025, and Kazakh airlines carried 15 million passengers. Air Astana, the main carrier, grew its fleet from 57 to 62 aircraft in 2025 and expects 67 next year. It has up to 50 Airbus and 15 Boeing aircraft on order. It opened 25 routes in 2025 and plans 16 more, with Astana–Tokyo due in late 2026 and New York in 2027. Direct US flights depend on FAA Category 1 status, which the government aims to win by November 2026. The regulator is getting stricter: after more than 1,200 inspections, it suspended or ended the operations of seven airlines, four training centres and two maintenance organisations. A master plan to 2050 and a five-year upgrade of air navigation are in preparation. For suppliers, the openings are in air navigation systems, regional airports, compliance and quality support, and MRO and training for growing fleets.

Key facts

• 32 million airport passengers and 173,000 tonnes of cargo in 2025. Kazakh airlines carried 15 million passengers (May 2026).
• Air Astana fleet: 57 aircraft at the start of 2025, 62 at the end, and 67 expected next year. Up to 50 Airbus and 15 Boeing aircraft on order (May 2026).
• After more than 1,200 inspections, operations of seven airlines, four training centres and two maintenance organisations were suspended or ended (May 2026).
• 6.4 billion tenge (US$12.6 million) to subsidise 24 regional routes (May 2026).
• Transit flights through Kazakhstan have grown four-fold in five years (May 2026).

Key figures

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0).

Did you know

The US aviation regulator reviewed Kazakhstan in 2026, a step towards direct US flights.

Latest news

• Kazakhstan flies its first passenger eVTOL demonstration
• Kazakhstan plans digital and biometric upgrades across its state airports