Kazakhstan, situated in Central Asia without access to seas, boasts a pivotal position for air travel. Home to approximately 18 million people across a vast 2.7 million square kilometers, it’s a country witnessing substantial growth in its aviation sector, averaging a remarkable 3.7% annual expansion. In 2017, Kazakhstan catered to 7.4 million air travelers, with a passenger/population ratio of 0.42 in 2016, placing 83rd among 170 nations.
Despite primarily serving domestic demand, only a fraction, approximately 4%, of passengers rely on air travel. However, the nation is progressively embracing international connectivity, welcoming foreign airlines and investors to its skies. The aviation industry in Kazakhstan spans diverse segments, encompassing passenger transit, cargo transport, general aviation, and air navigation services. As it continues to evolve, the country is steadily enhancing its global aerial footprint.
Almaty International Airport (IATA: ALA, ICAO: UAAA)
This is the busiest airport in Kazakhstan and the largest in Central Asia. It serves as a hub for Air Astana, the national flag carrier of Kazakhstan, and offers flights to 45 destinations in 19 countries. ALA has two terminals: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Terminal 1 handles international flights and has a capacity of 10 million passengers per year. Terminal 2 handles domestic flights and has a capacity of 5 million passengers per year.
ALA has two runways: Runway 01/19 and Runway 04/22. Runway 01/19 is the main runway and has a length of 3,000 meters and a width of 45 meters. Runway 04/22 is the secondary runway and has a length of 2,000 meters and a width of 30 meters. ALA offers various ground services for business aviation operators, such as fueling, parking, hangar rental, catering, ground handling, etc. The fueling rates in Almaty Airport are around $0.5 USD per liter for jet fuel. The parking rates are around $150 USD per day for short-term parking and $200 USD per day for long-term parking.
Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport (IATA: NQZ, ICAO: UACC)
This is the second busiest airport in Kazakhstan and the largest in Astana. It serves as a hub for Air Astana Cargo Services, which offers cargo flights to various destinations in Europe, Asia, Africa, America, etc. NQZ has one terminal that handles both domestic and international flights. The terminal has a capacity of 8 million passengers per year. NQZ has one runway: Runway 01/19. Runway 01/19 is the main runway and has a length of 3,000 meters and a width of 45 meters. NQZ offers similar ground services as ALA for business aviation operators.
Beyond the major airports of Almaty (ALA) and Nursultan Nazarbayev (NQZ), Kazakhstan boasts several active airports serving diverse purposes across the country. These airports play crucial roles in facilitating regional connectivity, supporting both domestic and international travel, cargo transportation, and various other aviation-related activities:
- Aktau Airport (IATA: SCO, ICAO: UATE)
- Atyrau Airport (IATA: GUW, ICAO: UATG
- Karaganda Airport (IATA: KGF, ICAO: UAKK)
- Uralsk Airport (IATA: URA, ICAO: UARR)
- Kostanay Airport (IATA: KSN, ICAO: UAUU)
Overflight and Flight Permits For Kazakhstan Flight Operations
According to the Kazakhstan Civil Aviation Authority, any aircraft owner/operator wishing to fly in Kazakhstan airspace must apply for a Kazakhstan overflight clearance with the air transport department at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled flight departure time. The overflight permit is valid for 24 hours and can be obtained online through the Information System ‘Astana – 1’. The overflight permit allows access to all major airports in Kazakhstan, except for those located in restricted zones and flight restriction zones. The documents required for obtaining overflight permit for Kazakhstan are:
- Flight schedule
- Entry/exit points with ATC route
- All passenger details
- Consignee and consignor details for cargo flights
- Aircraft documents (AOC, COA, COI, CON, COR)
- Noise certificate
- Pilot licenses and medical certificates
When applying for overflight and landing permits in numerous countries, including Kazakhstan, the submission of routing and Flight Information Region (FIR) information is mandatory. It’s advisable to provide sufficient lead time for overflight and landing permits. Typically, three to five business days for overflight permits and five to 10 days for landing permits are recommended, but these lead times may vary by country.
Slot Times In Kazakhstan Airport Operations
A slot time is a specific period of time allocated for a flight to take off or land at an airport. Slot times are assigned by the air traffic control authorities based on the operational needs and safety requirements of each airport. Slot times vary depending on the airport, the season, and the type of aircraft. For example, at Almaty International Airport, which is the largest and busiest airport in Kazakhstan, slot times range from 10 minutes to 30 minutes depending on the direction and destination of the flight. Slot times are usually announced by the air traffic control tower before each scheduled departure or arrival.
Ground Handling Operations For Kazakhstan International Airports
Ground handling operation is a service that provides assistance to passengers and crews during their stay at an airport. Ground handling operations include activities such as check-in, baggage handling, boarding, de-boarding, catering, ground transportation, security screening, and customer service. Ground handling operations can be provided by local or foreign companies that have agreements with major airports in Kazakhstan.
Fuel Availability In Major Kazakhstan Airports
Jet A1 fuel is readily accessible at major airports, serving as a vital resource for aviation operations by supplying energy for propulsion and navigation systems. Authorized suppliers at Kazakhstan’s major airports offer this essential commodity for purchase.
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