Kazakhstan to launch national cargo airline in early 2026Kazakhstan’s first national cargo airline is set to launch in early 2026, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s office citing Samruk-Kazyna Fund Chairman Nurlan Zhakupov.Zhakupov reported to Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov that, in line with global practices, the cargo carrier will initially lease three aircraft before expanding its fleet to 10 planes.The government noted that the airline will be guaranteed a stable fuel supply to ensure profitability. The prime minister instructed that all preparations as necessary for the establishment of the cargo airline should be expedited."President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has tasked us with strengthening Kazakhstan’s position as a leading aviation hub in the region. Comprehensive efforts are underway to develop airport infrastructure and domestic transportation. The cargo airline project is a key initiative that will help redirect transit flows to Kazakhstan and bolster our position in the air freight market," Bektenov said.The decision to establish a cargo airline follows sustained growth in the global air freight market, which currently handles 57.7 million tonnes annually. Approximately 15% of these shipments pass through Kazakh airspace, the government press service noted.In January 2025, President Tokayev highlighted that no Kazakh airline was yet fully engaged in the air cargo market and called for urgent measures to create an international air hub. He ordered the transformation of major airports into globally competitive hubs, requiring development of an integrated ecosystem with cargo and passenger terminals, logistics centers and modern services. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: INTERFAX