List of Airports in Kazakhstan
As of 2024, there are 25 airports throughout the country of Kazakhstan according to IATA and ICAO. Through the table below, you can find name of each airport, its abbreviation, city location, and size. Airports in Kazakhstan are listed in alphabetical order. Please note that some airports serve internationally, while the other only serve domestically.
List of All Airports in Kazakhstan
# | Airport | Abbreviation | Location | Size |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Aktau Airport | SCO | Aktau | Small |
2 | Aktyubinsk Airport | AKX | Aktyubinsk | Small |
3 | Almaty Airport | ALA | Almaty | Medium |
4 | Arkalyk Airport | AYK | Arkalyk | Small |
5 | Astana Airport | TSE | Astana | Small |
6 | Atbasar Airport | ATX | Atbasar | Small |
7 | Atyrau Airport | GUW | Atyrau | Small |
8 | Balhash Airport | BXH | Balhash | Small |
9 | Burundai Airport | BXJ | Burundai | Small |
10 | Ekibastuz Airport | EKB | Ekibastuz | Small |
11 | Karaganda Airport | KGF | Karaganda | Small |
12 | Kokshetau Airport | KOV | Kokshetau | Small |
13 | Kostanay Airport | KSN | Kostanay | Small |
14 | Kzyl-Orda Airport | KZO | Kzyl-Orda | Small |
15 | Pavlodar Airport | PWQ | Pavlodar | Small |
16 | Petropavlovsk Airport | PPK | Petropavlovsk | Small |
17 | Semipalatinsk Airport | PLX | Semipalatinsk | Small |
18 | Shimkent Airport | CIT | Shimkent | Small |
19 | Taldy-Kurgan Airport | TDK | Taldy-Kurgan | Small |
20 | Uralsk Airport | URA | Uralsk | Small |
21 | Ust-Kamenogorsk Airport | UKK | Ust-Kamenogorsk | Small |
22 | Zaisan Airport | SZI | Zaisan | Small |
23 | Zhairem Airport | HRC | Zhairem | Small |
24 | Zhambyl Airport | DMB | Zhambyl | Small |
25 | Zhezhazgan Airport | DZN | Zhezkazgan | Small |
Major Airports in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan, the world’s largest landlocked country, has several significant airports that serve both domestic and international routes. These airports play a critical role in the country’s transport infrastructure, connecting Kazakhstan to global markets and facilitating tourism and trade. Below are five major airports in Kazakhstan:
1. Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport (TSE)
Airport Code: TSE
Time Zone: Kazakhstan Time (UTC +6:00)
Address:
Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport, Nursultan (formerly Astana), Kazakhstan
Nearby Cities:
- Nursultan (Astana) – 8 miles
- Karaganda – 125 miles
- Pavlodar – 180 miles
- Kokshetau – 125 miles
Major Airlines Served:
- Air Astana
- SCAT Airlines
- FlyArystan
- Turkish Airlines
- Aeroflot
- Lufthansa
- Qatar Airways
Annual Passenger Traffic:
Approximately 6 million passengers annually
Airport Location and History:
Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport is located in the capital city of Nursultan (formerly known as Astana), Kazakhstan. Opened in 1931 as the Akmolinsk Airport, it has undergone significant modernization to become the country’s largest and busiest airport. The airport was renamed in 2019 to honor the first president of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, following his resignation.
Originally a small regional airport, the facility expanded to accommodate increasing passenger numbers due to the growing political and economic importance of Nursultan as the capital. The airport is a major hub for Air Astana, Kazakhstan’s national carrier, as well as for other regional and international flights.
The airport’s role has expanded in recent years, with increased demand from both business and leisure travelers. The airport now supports a variety of international connections, particularly to destinations in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
Facilities and Infrastructure:
Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport has two runways:
- Runway 09/27 – 3,600 meters (11,811 feet)
- Runway 16/34 – 3,600 meters (11,811 feet)
Both runways are capable of handling wide-body aircraft, including the Airbus A380 and Boeing 747. The airport features two passenger terminals, with the international terminal designed to handle growing international passenger traffic. It offers a wide range of services, including duty-free shopping, lounges, restaurants, and VIP services.
Ground transportation options include taxis, buses, and rental car services, providing easy access to the city center and surrounding areas.
2. Almaty International Airport (ALA)
Airport Code: ALA
Time Zone: Kazakhstan Time (UTC +6:00)
Address:
Almaty International Airport, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Nearby Cities:
- Almaty – 9 miles
- Taldykorgan – 110 miles
- Shymkent – 130 miles
- Taraz – 160 miles
Major Airlines Served:
- Air Astana
- FlyArystan
- Aeroflot
- Turkish Airlines
- Emirates
- Qatar Airways
- Lufthansa
Annual Passenger Traffic:
Approximately 6.5 million passengers annually
Airport Location and History:
Almaty International Airport, located in the city of Almaty, is the second-largest airport in Kazakhstan and the largest in southern Kazakhstan. Originally constructed in 1935, the airport has seen multiple expansions to meet the needs of Kazakhstan’s growing aviation industry. Almaty, being Kazakhstan’s largest city and a financial hub, is the main gateway for both domestic and international traffic into the country.
The airport played a crucial role during the Soviet era as a key transit point between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Over the years, it has evolved to serve a range of international destinations, with major connections to cities in China, Russia, Turkey, and the Middle East.
Almaty’s location at the foot of the Zailiyski Alatau mountains gives it a unique appeal, drawing international visitors to the region for business and tourism. The city is also known for its vibrant cultural life, making the airport an important point of entry for both leisure and business travelers.
Facilities and Infrastructure:
Almaty International Airport has two main runways:
- Runway 07/25 – 3,500 meters (11,482 feet)
- Runway 16/34 – 3,600 meters (11,811 feet)
Both runways are capable of handling large wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing 747 and Airbus A380. The airport is equipped with two terminals: a domestic terminal and an international terminal, both featuring modern amenities such as restaurants, duty-free shopping, lounges, and car rental services.
The airport also offers a variety of ground transportation options, including taxis, buses, and a shuttle service to the city center. The facility is connected by road to the wider Almaty region and the surrounding areas.
3. Shymkent International Airport (CIT)
Airport Code: CIT
Time Zone: Kazakhstan Time (UTC +6:00)
Address:
Shymkent International Airport, Shymkent, Kazakhstan
Nearby Cities:
- Shymkent – 5 miles
- Turkestan – 70 miles
- Taraz – 140 miles
- Kyzylorda – 190 miles
Major Airlines Served:
- Air Astana
- SCAT Airlines
- FlyArystan
- Aeroflot
Annual Passenger Traffic:
Approximately 1 million passengers annually
Airport Location and History:
Shymkent International Airport serves the city of Shymkent, Kazakhstan’s third-largest city, located in the southern part of the country. The airport was established in 1930, originally as a small airstrip, and over the years has grown in capacity to serve as a major gateway for the southern region of Kazakhstan.
Shymkent’s proximity to key regional cities such as Turkestan and Tashkent (Uzbekistan) makes it an important transport hub for the area. In addition to its role in facilitating domestic traffic, the airport also handles a growing number of international flights, particularly to neighboring Central Asian countries.
Shymkent is often seen as a hub for both business and tourism in southern Kazakhstan, and its airport is crucial in supporting regional development and connectivity. The city’s recent expansion and modernization have further increased demand for air travel.
Facilities and Infrastructure:
Shymkent International Airport has one runway:
- Runway 08/26 – 3,000 meters (9,843 feet)
This runway can handle medium to large aircraft, including wide-body jets such as the Airbus A330. The airport features a modern terminal that includes check-in counters, baggage claim areas, lounges, and retail shops. While the facilities are not as expansive as those at Almaty or Nursultan, they offer a full range of services for domestic and international passengers.
Ground transportation options include taxis, buses, and rental cars, offering access to Shymkent and the surrounding region.
4. Aktau International Airport (SCO)
Airport Code: SCO
Time Zone: Kazakhstan Time (UTC +5:00)
Address:
Aktau International Airport, Aktau, Kazakhstan
Nearby Cities:
- Aktau – 3 miles
- Zhanaozen – 90 miles
- Atyrau – 300 miles
Major Airlines Served:
- Air Astana
- SCAT Airlines
- FlyArystan
- Azerbaijan Airlines
Annual Passenger Traffic:
Approximately 400,000 passengers annually
Airport Location and History:
Aktau International Airport is located in the city of Aktau, on the Caspian Sea coast in western Kazakhstan. The airport opened in 1974 and has since undergone several upgrades to support the growing demand for air travel to the region. Aktau serves as an important transport hub for the western part of Kazakhstan, as well as for travelers heading to the Caspian Sea region.
Aktau’s airport is especially significant for the oil and gas industry, with the city being an essential center for energy production and export. The airport supports both domestic flights and international connections, particularly to destinations in Russia, the Caucasus, and the Middle East.
With its strategic location, Aktau has increasingly become a popular point of entry for business travelers, as well as tourists visiting the Caspian region.
Facilities and Infrastructure:
Aktau International Airport has one runway:
- Runway 03/21 – 3,000 meters (9,843 feet)
This runway is capable of handling medium-sized aircraft, including wide-body jets. The airport features a modest but functional terminal that caters to both domestic and international passengers. Services include lounges, baggage claim, duty-free shopping, and rental car services.
Ground transportation options are available, including taxis and shuttle buses, providing easy access to Aktau and the surrounding regions.
5. Karaganda Airport (KGF)
Airport Code: KGF
Time Zone: Kazakhstan Time (UTC +6:00)
Address:
Karaganda International Airport, Karaganda, Kazakhstan
Nearby Cities:
- Karaganda – 5 miles
- Temirtau – 10 miles
- Balkhash – 130 miles
Major Airlines Served:
- Air Astana
- SCAT Airlines
- FlyArystan
Annual Passenger Traffic:
Approximately 150,000 passengers annually
Airport Location and History:
Karaganda Airport is located in the central part of Kazakhstan, serving the city of Karaganda, one of the country’s major industrial centers. The airport has been in operation since the 1950s and has undergone modernization in recent decades to meet the needs of the local population and the region’s industries.
Karaganda serves as a vital point for domestic travel in Kazakhstan, as well as a regional hub for the mining and metallurgy industries. The airport is a key link between Kazakhstan’s industrial heartland and the rest of the country.
Facilities and Infrastructure:
Karaganda Airport has one runway:
- Runway 08/26 – 2,500 meters (8,202 feet)
While this runway is smaller than those at larger airports, it is capable of handling medium-sized aircraft and some wide-body jets. The airport has a small terminal offering basic services such as check-in counters, baggage handling, and retail outlets.
Ground transportation options are limited, but taxis and buses connect the airport with the city center and surrounding areas.