On 21 August 2026, Kazakhstan's Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov met with Changi Airport Group (CAG) CEO Yam Kum Weng. The two discussed prospects for cooperation on aviation-sector projects, including the construction of a second airport in Astana. No agreement was signed at the meeting.
Bektenov noted that, in line with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's directive to establish an international aviation hub, comprehensive work is underway to develop the capital's airport infrastructure, including a second airport. Yam Kum Weng expressed CAG's interest in deepening cooperation with Kazakhstan, highlighted Astana's potential as a bridge between Europe and Asia, and confirmed the group's readiness to provide expertise, knowledge and experience in the airport industry for the new capital-airport project as a regional hub.
President Tokayev separately characterized the scale of the ambition: "We have decided to build a new modern airport in Astana to meet the growing needs of the city's development as an aviation hub. In this regard, Singapore's advanced expertise is of particular interest to us. Changi Airport, widely recognised as the 'gold standard' in global aviation, embodies a high level of efficiency, cutting-edge innovation and impeccable service quality. We intend to draw on this experience in implementing the new project and take bilateral cooperation in the aviation sector to a new level."
Changi Airport Group operates Singapore's Changi and Seletar airports, and through its subsidiary Changi Airports International is involved in the development, management and master planning of airport infrastructure at more than 60 airports across more than 20 countries. Its expertise also spans digital solutions such as biometric technology and automation, alongside carbon-neutrality initiatives.
The meeting marks the second signal within a week of international interest in Kazakhstan's airport infrastructure: shortly beforehand, the country signed an agreement expanding permitted air-service capacity with Saudi Arabia. Unlike that deal, the Changi discussion concerns infrastructure development and management rather than route access.