May 19, 2026
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.
The Prime Minister noted that the Head of State pays special
attention to the development of the country’s transport and transit potential.
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.
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.