Pavlodar Airport reopens following runway reconstruction

Image: Pavlodar regional authority

Pavlodar Airport (PWQ) has officially resumed aircraft operations following a nearly 17-month operational suspension dedicated to an airfield infrastructure overhaul. On August 22, the gateway serving northeastern Kazakhstan’s industrial and cultural hub welcomed its inaugural arrival from Astana.

As part of the presidential modernization initiative, the airport’s runway was fully rehabilitated and widened from 45 to 60 meters. Kazakhstan’s Civil Aviation Committee (CAC) confirmed the expansion increases PWQ’s operational capability while enhancing flight safety margins.

Since operations were suspended on April 1, 2025, the facility underwent extensive airside upgrades, including new Aeronautical Ground Lighting (AGL) systems, enhanced apron illumination, upgraded CCTV surveillance, and secure perimeter fencing. Total capital expenditure reached 16.4 billion tenge, according to the regional authorities of Pavlodar. Ahead of the operational restart, PWQ secured all necessary regulatory approvals, earning its Aviation Security Service certification on August 17, followed by full Airfield Fitness Certification on August 21.

Currently, Vietjet Qazaqstan (formerly Qazaq Air) operates the airport’s sole route, servicing a subsidized four-times-weekly schedule to Astana utilizing De Havilland Canada Dash 8-Q400 turboprops. Commercial flights will begin on September 1, when budget carrier FlyArystan launches daily Airbus A320 service from Almaty. Shortly thereafter, Russian carrier S7 Airlines plans to restore international connectivity with daily flights from Novosibirsk.

Regional authorities continue negotiations to expand PWQ’s route network further. SCAT Airlines is currently evaluating domestic connections to Aktau, Shymkent, and Aktobe, while Uzbek carrier Centrum Air has reached a preliminary agreement to introduce Tashkent–Pavlodar service in March 2027. Long-term network development targets additional international routes to Moscow, Urumqi, Antalya, and Sharm El-Sheikh. Asain Baikhanov, Head of the Pavlodar Region, affirmed that authorities “will systematically broaden the airport’s flight geography to better support regional business travel and tourism.”

The next phase of the PWQ master plan focuses on a complete passenger terminal redevelopment. The project entails expanding departure hall throughput from 200 to 300 passengers per hour, fully segregating domestic and international passenger streams, and integrating automated Baggage Handling Systems (BHS) with inline screening. Additionally, the development includes constructing two contact gates equipped with Passenger Boarding Bridges (PBBs) alongside comprehensive utility infrastructure upgrades. Terminal construction will be executed in phases to ensure the complex remains fully operational throughout the buildout.