Airspace closure pushes Almaty into the shipping spotlight

When the Russian invasion of Ukraine shut down one of the world’s busiest air corridors, Central Asia suddenly found itself at the logistics hub between East and West. Routes that once bypassed the region were forced south, and the “middle corridor” – long treated as a geopolitical talking point – became an operational reality.

For Joker Kos, President and CEO of Almaty International Airport, this transformation is still underway.

“Under Covid-19, it was just a concept, but starting with Covid and after the closure of Russian airspace, it has become a mutual reality that countries located in this corridor are gaining more and more attractiveness,” he told delegates at the Caspian Air Cargo Summit in Baku.

An area whose location has changed

Kazakhstan cannot be avoided geographically: it is the ninth largest country in the world, and lies on the land bridge between China and Europe. But for many years, the lack of modern infrastructure kept Central Asian airports on the fringes of the air cargo map.

Now, with trade flows redirected, airports from Baku to Tashkent are racing to develop facilities. Almaty, the country’s main shipping hub, positions itself as a central node. The airport handled about 130,000 tons of cargo last year, supported by carriers including Turkish Airlines, Silk Way West, Lufthansa Cargo, and a growing list of Chinese airlines.

Kos believes this is just the beginning. “Kazakhstan has become one of the leading players in air cargo in Central Asia,” he said. “We do not view our neighboring airports as competitors, but rather as complements to the service we provide.”

This collaborative attitude is unusual in a sector defined by intense competition. But in a region that still combines supply chains and trade corridors, cooperation may be more realistic than competition.

Goods betting in Almaty

The airport does not leave growth to chance. A series of projects are already underway to expand and modernize the facilities. In July, work began on a $200 million overhaul of the airport’s infrastructure: runway reconstruction, new taxiways, an expanded de-icing platform and a cargo apron for 10 wide-body cargo planes.

The shipping station itself has been re-equipped to handle sensitive products, with a new cold storage and room for radioactive materials. Medicines, perishable items and high value goods are targeted. Koussa’s ambition is clear: “Our goal is to reach 200,000 tons in the coming years.”

This is part of a much larger 25-year, $1.5 billion masterplan that expects passenger and freight growth to quadruple capacity. The airport’s owners – TAV Airports and its parent company Groupe ADP – are betting that Almaty can be transformed from a Soviet-era facility into a modern hub in Central Asia.

Structural headwinds

Not everything can be solved with concrete and steel. Fuel has been one of the biggest obstacles in Kazakhstan. For many years, limited oil refining capacity and high value-added tax distorted the domestic jet fuel market, forcing carriers to transport fuel from abroad or pay inflated prices.

Koussa acknowledged the challenge but pointed to progress. VAT reform has eased costs for transport companies, while fuel imports from China have begun to balance supply. He said: “The government is aware, and steps have been taken. The problem is not solved overnight, but we are moving in the right direction.”

The airport is also preparing to align with broader sustainability trends. Ground support equipment is now being electrified, and Kosi noted that Almaty is carefully monitoring how regulators in the European Union and the United States handle carbon accounting for transportation hubs. For a market that relies heavily on technical breakouts and stops, these rules can be crucial.

A fragile chance

Central Asia’s logistics renaissance depends on sustainable investment, political stability, and the ability to provide reliable and efficient services at scale. The infrastructure plans are ambitious, but implementation will be the test.

For now, Kuse remains optimistic. “We believe this is just the beginning,” he added. “Kazakhstan is strategically located, and Almaty can play a leading role in connecting East with West.”

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