Kazakhstan will launch a new national cargo airline in early 2026, the country’s Samruk-Kazyna sovereign wealth fund said during a meeting with Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, the Astana Times reported.
According to the media outlet three aircraft will initially be leased, with plans to expand the fleet to ten aircraft. Additionally, measures are being taken to ensure a guaranteed fuel supply to support the airline’s profitability.
The project is reportedly driven by the sustained growth of the global air cargo market, with approximately 15% of air cargo shipments passing through Kazakhstan’s airspace.
The Astana Times also reported that Bektenov called for accelerated preparations for the airline's launch, in line with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s directive to strengthen Kazakhstan’s position as a leading aviation hub in the region.
Over the past few years, Kazakhstan has renovated 20 runways and 19 terminals and built a new airport in Turkistan.
A total of $2.9bn is expected to be invested in the country’s aviation industry.