Atyrau International Airport in northwestern Kazakhstan has officially implemented an open skies regime, a move aimed at expanding flight connectivity and increasing competition among airlines. The announcement was made by Kairat Nurtaev, Deputy Akim (mayor) of the Atyrau Region.
This new policy eliminates all restrictions on the number of flights foreign airlines can operate to and from Atyrau, facilitating the growth of both international and domestic air traffic. Authorities anticipate that the initiative will establish direct air links between Atyrau and key regions, including Western Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. It is also expected to promote competition among airlines, potentially leading to more affordable ticket prices for passengers.
Currently, Atyrau International Airport handles 89 domestic flights across seven routes and 21 international flights on six routes each week. The majority of international services are operated by Kazakhstan's largest airline, Air Astana, which connects Atyrau to cities such as Amsterdam, Istanbul, and Dubai.
Additionally, FlyArystan, Air Astana's low-cost carrier, offers flights to destinations like Kutaisi and Sharm El-Sheikh. Russian airline Aeroflot is the only foreign carrier with scheduled services to Atyrau, operating flights from Moscow.
To further modernize the airport, the Atyrau regional administration recently signed a memorandum with QazAir Investments, a Qatari investor, to manage the airport. As part of the plan, a new terminal will be constructed, spanning 16,500 square meters, with construction set to begin in 2025-2026. The new terminal is expected to accommodate up to 6mn passengers annually, a significant increase compared to the current capacity of 1.2mn to 1.3mn passengers.
Atyrau is now the 16th airport in Kazakhstan to adopt the open skies regime, joining other airports across the country that have embraced the initiative in recent years. Uralsk Airport, located nearby, also received the open skies status in the fall of 2024.
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