Kazakhstan May Launch National Cargo Air Carrier in 2026

Kazakhstan’s first national cargo airline carrier may begin operations in 2026, Orda.kz reports, citing the government press service.

The news came during a meeting on the development of the aviation sector chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov. Officials discussed implementation of President Qasym-Jomart Toqayev’s directives to expand aviation hubs and modernize ground infrastructure.

According to the Ministry of Transport, Kazakh airlines transported 7.2 million passengers in the first half of 2025—6% more than the same period in 2024. Airports handled a total of 14.4 million passengers.

Currently, flights in Kazakhstan operate on 61 routes with 849 flights per week.

Transport Minister Nurlan Sauranbayev reported that 16 aircraft will be added to the national fleet this year — six of which have already been acquired. By 2030, the fleet is expected to reach 221 aircraft. In 2025, 36 new or restored routes are planned, with $2.9 billion of investment expected for airport construction, runway upgrades, and terminal reconstruction.

The launch of the national cargo airline will begin with three leased aircraft, with plans to expand to ten. The operator will be managed under Samruq-Qazyna, the state wealth fund.

Chair Nurlan Zhakupov confirmed the start date as early 2026.

The President has tasked us with strengthening Kazakhstan’s position as a leading aviation hub in the region. The national cargo carrier project is key to redirecting transit flows through Kazakhstan and reinforcing our presence in the air freight market,
 said Prime Minister Bektenov.

The need for a national cargo airline was raised by members of parliament in May 2024. Work on the project has been ongoing since then.

Original Author: Nikita Drobny