At the President's directive, the Government, in cooperation with German investors, will build an international cargo and passenger airport in the Zhetysu region.
Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov held a meeting with Dr. Kristin Grötzbach, member of the Board of Directors and co-founder of SKYHANSA. The parties discussed the implementation of a project to construct a cargo and passenger airport near the Khorgos International Centre for Cross-Border Cooperation in the Zhetysu Region.
The international cargo and passenger airport project within the Khorgos – Eastern Gate Special Economic Zone envisions a three-phase development of aviation infrastructure in accordance with ICAO international guidelines. As part of the first phase, to be completed by 2027, the following is planned:
A passenger terminal with a capacity of up to 50 passengers per hour (increasing to 500 passengers per hour by 2032);
A modern fuel storage facility for the new type of aviation fuel JET A-1, with an annual capacity of up to 200,000 tons (rising to 550,000 tons by 2032);
A cargo terminal with parking and a railway spur, with an annual capacity of 50,000 tons (expanding to 250,000 tons by 2032).
The second and third phases, to be completed by 2032, will include the development of tourist and recreational infrastructure. The total investment volume is expected to amount to approximately 250 billion tenge.
The project also includes the creation of a multimodal cargo transportation scheme — Air–Rail–Auto–Air — and the development of new economic growth points at the intersection of major transport and logistics corridors connecting to the Asia-Pacific region.
“President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has named the transport and logistics sector as one of the key priorities in the broader effort to diversify Kazakhstan’s economy. The implementation of this modern airport project in the Zhetysu Region will give a powerful boost to infrastructure development and strengthen Kazakhstan’s role as a transit hub between China, Central Asia, and Europe,”
emphasized Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov.
In turn, Dr. Kristin Grötzbach, member of the Board of Directors and co-founder of SKYHANSA, emphasized that the project is focused not only on the development of aviation infrastructure but also on the creation of a modern logistics and business hub in the region.
“We are not just building an airport — we are creating a multifunctional regional hub with world-class infrastructure: cargo and passenger terminals, a fuel supply complex, an MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) aviation technical center, a business center, and hotels to support multimodal logistics capabilities. Its location — near the border with China, within the Khorgos – Eastern Gate Special Economic Zone — offers exceptional conditions for the development of international trade. Its connection to railway and highway networks makes it one of the most promising logistics nodes along the New Silk Road,” said Dr. Grötzbach.
Following the meeting, an Investment Agreement was signed between the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Skyhansa. According to the agreement, the investor commits to building the necessary aviation infrastructure, using primarily local materials and services, and ensuring that at least 90% of the workforce involved in the project consists of Kazakhstani citizens. The Kazakhstani side will provide the engineering and transport infrastructure, as well as offer the benefits of special economic zone residency.
Background:The project is being implemented with the participation of the Kazakh-German joint venture SKYHANSA. On the German side, the partner is The Hansa Consortium, a company specializing in the development of aviation terminals and infrastructure. On the Kazakh side, the partner is SKYMAX TECHNOLOGIES, a group of companies providing comprehensive services and engineering solutions for airports in Kazakhstan, Central Asia, and the Caucasus.
