Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov chaired a Government session to review issues of aviation sector development and digitalization. Reports were delivered by Minister of Transport Nurlan Sauranbayev, Deputy Minister of Transport Gulzat Kobenova, Head of the Civil Aviation Authority Michael Daniel, as well as the management of Air Astana, TransInfoTech, the Association of General Aviation Pilots, and akimats of East Kazakhstan, Pavlodar, Mangystau, and Kostanay regions, primeminister.kz reports.
The Prime Minister noted that the Head of State pays special attention to the development of the country’s transport and transit potential.
The Head of State has set us a strategic task - Kazakhstan must become the leading aviation hub in the region. To achieve this goal, large-scale work is underway to modernize existing airport infrastructure and create favorable conditions for domestic and international airlines," Olzhas Bektenov emphasized.
As part of the measures being taken by the Government, the expansion of the aircraft fleet and flight geography continues, and digital solutions, including the use of artificial intelligence, are being introduced. The Prime Minister stressed the need for the Ministry of Transport to strengthen its work on analyzing the global market and modern technologies, with constant updating of infrastructure, services, and equipment.
Special attention was paid to the prospects for the development of the domestic aviation industry amid global growth in air transportation. According to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), by 2050 the number of passengers will exceed 12 billion per year, and the global fleet of commercial aircraft will double by 2034. In this regard, it was noted that Kazakhstan needs to integrate into the global aviation development chain and firmly occupy its niches.
The relevant ministry was tasked with accelerating the opening of new international routes, particularly to European Union countries and the United States, at competitive ticket prices. Special attention should be given to international routes from the capital. The Ministry of Transport, together with Air Astana, was instructed to open direct flights from Astana to Tokyo and New York by the end of this year, and to European capitals, London, Paris, Rome, Vienna, and other cities, in 2027. The Prime Minister emphasized that this is of strategic importance for attracting investors and tourists.
To stimulate transit potential, the Government has established more attractive aviation fuel prices, which will help attract foreign airlines to Kazakhstan, including increasing the number of transit cargo flights. In addition, in fulfillment of the Head of State’s instruction, the country is implementing a project to create a national cargo airline. The first cargo aircraft is scheduled to be delivered to Kazakhstan in October this year. The Ministry of Transport was instructed to keep this issue under special control.
An important component of further industry development is strengthening human resources. In this regard, a significant increase in the number of qualified specialists is required. The Ministry of Science and Higher Education, together with the Ministry of Transport, was instructed to take measures to create an aviation training center that meets international standards. The Civil Aviation Academy must reach a new level and produce certified specialists recognized worldwide. When training personnel for small and regional aviation, existing training centers in the aviation industry should be utilized.
Measures for the development of small and regional aviation, which will increase population mobility and reduce the load on commercial air transportation within the country, were also considered. The Ministry of Transport and the Republican State Enterprise "Kazaeronavigatsia" were instructed to build a unified automated system for managing all types of air transport.
Following the meeting, the Prime Minister issued a number of instructions to state bodies.
First. The Ministry of Transport must take measures by the end of this year to approve the Master Plan for the Development of Civil Aviation until 2050 (CAMP-2050). The plan must necessarily include measures for the development of small and regional aviation, unmanned aerial transport, and the introduction of advanced technologies for the use and storage of new alternative fuels.
Second. Global regulators such as EASA in Europe and the FAA in the United States have already developed rules for certifying commercial air taxi vehicles. Kazakhstan must be ready to launch air taxis, drones, and other new types of aircraft. The Ministry of Transport was instructed to ensure the adoption of necessary legislative amendments on urban air mobility (UAM) by the end of June this year.
Third. The akimats of East Kazakhstan, Mangystau, Kostanay, and Pavlodar regions must put into operation airports in Katon-Karagay, Zaysan, Kenderli, and Arkalyk within the strictly established deadlines this year, and complete the modernization of the airport in Pavlodar.
Overall, the Ministry of Transport, together with airlines and airport services, must continuously work to ensure the quality, comfort, and efficiency of service for the growing passenger traffic.
Overall coordination was assigned to First Deputy Prime Minister Nurlibek Naliyev.
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