Image: Astana International Airport

Astana International Airport is set to develop a multimodal cargo hub, with plans to increase transit cargo volumes to 5,000 tons per year by 2029. The airport’s CEO, Daulet Khamzin, shared these strategic goals during the Central Asia Aviation Summit 2026 / Kazakhstan, held in Astana.

“An airport is a place where various modes of transport converge,” he said.

To support the growth of multimodal operations, the airport plans to invest in significant infrastructure, including the construction of a dedicated rail link. Additionally, several new specialized facilities will be established, including temperature-controlled warehouses, pharmaceutical and e-commerce storage, quarantine facilities, spare parts warehouses, an exhibition hub, and a Live Animals Area.

Khamzin also noted that removing the airport complex from the list of strategic assets has opened the door for long-term private investment.

Astana Airport expects to approve a master plan for the development of adjacent lands in the second quarter of 2026. This plan includes the creation of a dedicated cargo zone and a special economic zone (SEZ).