The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) presented its first-of-its-kind analytical report on aviation finance in Kazakhstan and Central Asia at Astana Finance Days 2026 — "Aviation Finance in Kazakhstan and Central Asia: Global Trends and the Role of the AIFC." The report's authors are Assel Bagissova, Ayan Tuleshev, and Zhanbolat Kakishev.
The report forecasts the region's combined aircraft fleet — including South Caucasus countries — growing from 383 to 684 aircraft by 2030, a 78.6% increase, or 301 additional aircraft. Tajikistan shows the highest relative growth of any country covered — from 10 to 25 aircraft (+150%).
Alongside the report's release, AIFC announced two concrete steps. First, the AIFC Aviation Finance Hub supported the first aircraft leasing transaction of new Kazakh cargo carrier Jupiter Jet with a U.S. lessor, helping structure the deal and liaise with the leasing company. Second, AIFC and the Development Bank of Kazakhstan signed a memorandum of cooperation on developing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), tied to ICAO's Finvest initiative.
Both steps signal that the report's publication is not a standalone initiative — it is accompanied by concrete deals and partnerships that AIFC positions as initial steps toward establishing a regional aviation finance hub.