Toqayev Calls for Urgent Reforms to Boost Kazakhstan’s Cargo Aviation Industry

Qasym-Jomart Toqayev held a meeting on the development of cargo aviation and outlined the key problems holding the sector back, Orda.kz reports.

Toqayev stated that the global air cargo market is expected to expand.

If Kazakhstan does not build the necessary infrastructure now, transit flows will shift to competing countries, including those in Central Asia and the South Caucasus.

By 2040, 20% of air cargo will be carried on the Asia-Europe route. Our country needs to create a multimodal logistics framework that integrates rail, road, and air transport. It's important to understand that unless bold and decisive steps are taken today, we risk missing out on our opportunities,
 the president said.

Toqayev emphasized the need to establish fully fledged air hubs.

To increase revenue, airports must not only provide refueling for transit aircraft but also offer additional services, which will require investment and terminal modernization.

Today, transit cargo traffic creates low added value. As we see, it is primarily limited to refueling and technical stops, without significant cargo handling and consolidation operations. The existing potential is not fully realized due to underdeveloped infrastructure,
 he continued.

He noted that airport tariffs have remained largely unchanged for a decade, contributing to infrastructure deterioration.

As a result, airports will likely need to raise service prices to make modernization possible.

Complex bureaucratic procedures for selecting companies through tenders, and limiting the duration of contracts — all of this must be stopped,
 Toqayev said.

The head of state also criticized the relevant ministries for delaying decisions on urgent issues and failing to implement concrete measures. He identified high aviation fuel costs and insufficient domestic production as major obstacles.

Toqayev additionally proposed lifting the ban on operating aircraft older than 25 years. If adopted, this measure would enable private companies to enter the cargo aviation market more quickly, as older aircraft are cheaper.

In the US, the average age of FedEx aircraft is 28 years, UPS is 30 years old, and the British airline One Air is 33 years old,
 the president noted.

Toqayev said the development of the transport and logistics sector will be under his personal oversight.

The government has been instructed to accelerate decision-making on tariffs, fuel, infrastructure, digitalization, and personnel training.

Original Author: Zarina Fayzulina