Kazakhstan, UAE Sign $1.1B Deal to Expand Astana Airport
Kazakhstan’s Transport Ministry has finalized a $1.1 billion investment agreement with United Arab Emirates-based Terminals Holding to expand and modernize Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport (NQZ) in Astana. The project will significantly boost the airport’s capacity and position it as a major transit hub for Central Asia, China, and Russia.
The ambitious plan includes construction of a second runway, a third passenger terminal, and a new cargo terminal. In addition to airside enhancements, the agreement covers the development of a large-scale aerotropolis complex. This will include a logistics and industrial zone, hotels, retail outlets, and advanced freight facilities designed to attract both commercial activity and international investment.
Also included in the redevelopment are technology upgrades across airport systems. The project will modernize the airport’s specialized vehicle fleet and implement digital and automation technologies to streamline operations. Staff training will be introduced in phases to bring workforce skills in line with global aviation standards.
Although a construction timeline has not yet been announced, the agreement builds on a 2023 preliminary framework and forms part of Kazakhstan’s long-term strategy to enhance its aviation infrastructure and global connectivity. By partnering with Terminals Holding, which is also leading redevelopment efforts at Navoi International Airport in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan continues to draw foreign capital into strategic infrastructure assets.
NQZ, previously known as Astana International Airport until its 2017 renaming, is the country’s second-busiest hub after Almaty. The airport currently has the capacity to handle around 9 million passengers annually and is projected to offer 2.9 million departure seats during the summer 2025 travel season, according to data from OAG Schedules Analyser.
The airport’s largest operators include national carrier Air Astana and its low-cost unit FlyArystan, each holding a 27.6 percent share of total seat capacity. Domestic competitor Scat Airlines controls 21.6 percent. On the international side, NQZ is served by a mix of global airlines, including Turkish Airlines, Flydubai, and Aeroflot.
The modernization of NQZ comes at a time of increased regional aviation activity. The announcement follows recent news that Vietnamese low-cost carrier Vietjet and Kazakhstan’s Qazaq Air are forming a joint venture, Vietjet Qazaqstan, which will operate a fleet of at least 20 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The joint venture aims to enhance connectivity between Kazakhstan, Vietnam, and broader Asian markets.
With the latest agreement, Kazakhstan is taking decisive steps to transform Astana’s airport into a key logistics, business, and travel hub for the region, backed by strong international partnerships and a focus on long-term growth.
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