$1.1B Expansion Plan For Kazakhstan'S Astana Airport

Kazakhstan's Transport Ministry has signed a $1.1 billion investment agreement with United Arab Emirates-based Terminals Holding to expand and modernize Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport (NQZ) in Astana and its surrounding infrastructure.

The deal includes construction of a second runway, a third passenger terminal and a cargo terminal. It also envisions a large-scale aerotropolis complex, complete with a logistics-industrial zone, hotels, retail areas and freight facilities.

Additionally, the modernization will include upgrades to the airport’s specialized vehicle fleet, deployment of digital and automation systems, and phased training to bring staff qualifications in line with international aviation standards.

While no construction timeline has been announced, the agreement builds on a 2023 preliminary deal and supports Kazakhstan’s broader strategy to attract foreign investment and position itself as a key transit hub linking China, Russia and Central Asia.

Previously known as Astana International Airport until 2017, NQZ is Kazakhstan’s second-busiest airport after Almaty, with capacity to handle about 9 million passengers annually. The airport is scheduled to offer 2.9 million departure seats during the summer 2025 season, according to OAG Schedules Analyser data.

Air Astana and its low-cost subsidiary FlyArystan each hold a 27.6% share of total seat capacity at NQZ, while Scat accounts for 21.6%. International carriers serving the airport include Turkish Airlines, Flydubai and Aeroflot.

Terminals Holding, based in Abu Dhabi, is also leading the redevelopment of Navoi International Airport in Uzbekistan as part of its broader regional airport investment strategy.

Details of the planned redevelopment of NQZ follow news that Vietnamese LCC Vietjet and Kazakhstan’s Qazaq Air are forming a joint venture to launch Vietjet Qazaqstan. The carrier will operate a fleet of at least 20 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft and aims to strengthen air connectivity between Kazakhstan, Vietnam and the wider Asian region.