On 20 October, KazMunayGas-Aero (KMG-Aero), a subsidiary of JSC NC KazMunayGas, performed its first into-plane refuelling of a Boeing 747-400F cargo aircraft of US carrier National Airlines at Aktobe International Airport. The aircraft was operating a flight on the Kuala Lumpur–Aktobe–Jakarta route.
The agreement and first refuellings
KMG-Aero had earlier signed an agreement with National Airlines for into-plane refuelling. The first flight under it was serviced on 16 October at Turkistan International Airport: a Boeing 777 cargo aircraft flying Hong Kong–Turkistan–Amsterdam.
With the addition of Aktobe, the agreement covers six Kazakhstan airports: Astana, Almaty, Karaganda, Shymkent, Turkistan and Aktobe. The airline can use a single aviation fuel supplier across different regions of the country, which simplifies refuelling logistics when planning international flights.
What it means for Aktobe and western Kazakhstan
Aktobe Airport is an important aviation hub in western Kazakhstan, supporting the development of regional transport and logistics links. Growth in international cargo operations raises the airport's transit potential and helps integrate western Kazakhstan into global logistics routes.
KMG-Aero's position
KMG-Aero said the work is carried out in line with the Head of State's instructions to develop Kazakhstan's transport and logistics potential and strengthen its position as a key Eurasian aviation hub. The company is expanding cooperation with foreign airlines, increasing the number of carriers served and strengthening the role of Kazakhstan's airports in international cargo and passenger transport. According to the company, it currently serves around 50 foreign airlines.
About National Airlines
National Airlines is a US carrier headquartered in Orlando, Florida. It specialises in cargo and passenger charter services, including commercial, oversized and specialised cargo. Its fleet includes Boeing 747 and Boeing 777 cargo aircraft.
Our assessment: the agreement with National Airlines is a fuel service, not a new route. It does not mean regular flights by the US carrier to Kazakhstan. But the expansion from five to six airports within four days shows that Kazakhstan's airports are becoming stopping points for Asia–Europe cargo flights. This is flycentralasia's conclusion, not a statement by KMG-Aero.
What businesses can do. Airports in Aktobe, Karaganda and Turkistan, and cargo handlers, can prepare offers for transit freighters that need fuel on the Asia–Europe leg. Cargo operators can compare the terms of a single fuel supplier across several Kazakhstan airports with their current stopover logistics.