First Deputy Prime Minister Nurlybek Nalibayev named timelines for three new airports in the country's resort areas at a government briefing on 4 November. Construction of Zaisan and Kenderli airports is planned to finish by the end of 2026, and of Katon-Karagai airport in February 2027.
Finishing construction does not mean immediate operations. Documents and licences must still be completed, so all three airports are expected to receive passengers and aircraft in the first half of 2027. The aim is to be ready for the next tourist season.
Kazakhstan's international network from Almaty is also changing. The first Almaty–Tokyo flight is scheduled for 30 November, with Air Astana operating it twice a week. Flights from Almaty to Vienna, New York and Milan are named for 2027.
For regional airports and the tourism industry, this is an important signal. Zaisan and Katon-Karagai serve eastern Kazakhstan, and Kenderli serves the Mangystau region. Tour operators can already plan programmes for the 2027 season, and airlines can assess demand for the new destinations.
Our assessment: the new airports will open later than previously expected, but the first half of 2027 remains realistic if licensing goes without delays. This is the view of flycentralasia.