Astana - international airport: history, current state, prospects

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

Kazakhstan occupies an advantageous location in terms of transport system, linking Europe and the US with Asia. The second largest airport in the country is Astana International Airport. Further, its history, modern parameters and prospects are considered.

History

The airport in Astana appeared in 1930, then it was called Akmola. The airport included a square runway, a train station represented by an 8-room building, an adobe oil heater, a two-room building for pilots, and a basement fuel storage. It was connected to the city by a footpath and a ferry. During the floods, the airport was closed.

Semey (then Semipalatinsk) became the first settlement with which regular air communication was established with Astana next year. Transportation was carried out by aircraft K-5, P-5, K-4, PR-5, P-2.

Since 1946, PO-2 of the Karaganda Aviation Enterprise has been permanently based here. On the basis of this, after 2 years, a link was formed of three ascribedPO-2 specialists included in the Karaganda air squadron.

By that time, the equipment had been significantly improved and the airport had been expanded: a Finnish house for the radio station, a garage and 3 adobe houses had been erected. The number of service personnel was increased from 40 to 50 people. We began to receive heavy aircraft Li-2.

In 1951, the runway was lengthened and Il-12 and Il-14 began to land. In 1954, a squadron was formed, and the An-2 and Yak-12 were added to the fleet. Since 1956, round-the-clock work began, and the Akmola United Aviation Squadron was created. In 1959, the network of overhead lines was significantly increased with the advent of the AN-2 aircraft. The following year, the airport gained class 3.

In 1961 he received the first LI-2 aircraft. In 1963, the operation of a new airport began, which changed its name along with the city to Akmolinsk. In 1969, the volume of traffic increased significantly, and the transport network expanded with the receipt of the AN-24.

From 1975, a flight from Alma-Ata via Tselinograd (Astana) to Moscow and back on TU-154 began.

It was of great importance that Akmola (Astana) acquired the status of the capital instead of Alma-Ata. After that, the international airport was reconstructed: the runway, apron, taxiways were increased, radio navigation and lighting equipment was replaced, the airport terminal was reconstructed, and the VIP building was erected.

From 2002 to 2005, another renovation was carried out, including the creation of a new passenger terminal.

Since 2013, Astana International Airport has been undermanagement of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy Airport Management Group. Now it is being reconstructed.

Current State

JSC "Astana International Airport" is the second in the country in terms of domestic air transportation after Alma-Ata. It has one runway capable of receiving any aircraft. Kazakhstan is characterized by an annually increasing passenger turnover of air transportation, including Astana. The international airport reached in 2015 this figure of about 3.4 million people. The number of flights is up to 40 per day. The throughput is 750 people and 600 tons of cargo per hour. The airport serves 14 airlines and provides communication with all regional centers of Kazakhstan, as well as with various cities of the world.

Problems

Airport Management Group, having received control over several airports in Kazakhstan, conducted a study of their condition and functioning for subsequent reconstruction. JSC "Astana International Airport" was also studied. Feedback from visitors, journalists and Akim, Adilbek Dzhaksybekov, testified to such problems as long queues at passport control, unstable operation of the program, high prices, lack of knowledge of foreign languages by staff, etc. This was especially critical in the context of the fact that in 2017 in Kazakhstan will host the EXPO exhibition. The venue is Astana. The international airport, therefore, will receive the majority of its visitors. This will increase passenger traffic, which is already experiencing difficulties.

Reconstruction

Based on this, an ongoing project for the reconstruction of the Astana airport was developed. The international airport will first of all receive a new terminal, the throughput of which will be 4 million people a year. With its commissioning, the total passenger turnover will double (up to 7 million people a year), and the old terminal will be transferred to domestic flights. The system of passport and customs control has been replaced to simplify their passage. In addition, it is planned to improve the quality of services. To do this, the Airport Management Group is partnering with world leaders in passenger services (Swiss Post) and in-flight catering (Gate Gourmet). Thanks to this, the quality of service and food both at the airport and on the planes will be improved. At the same time, it is supposed to reduce prices in shops and cafes of the airport. In addition, they plan to organize the work of a taxi and improve transport links with the city.

Finally, it is possible to introduce the "open skies" rule, due to which the airport's revenues will increase from serving foreign airlines that will be able to fly without approvals and restrictions.

In addition, the expediency of creating an international air hub in Astana is being considered.