The cargo air transportation industry in Kazakhstan and the Central Asia region is demonstrating steady growth against the backdrop of developing transit routes bypassing Russian airspace and market liberalization.
In Kazakhstan, air cargo transportation has rebounded after a decline in 2021: the first half of 2024 showed a 9% increase (reaching 12.4 thousand tonnes) compared to the same period in 2023. However, most cargo is still transported in passenger aircraft baggage compartments, which limits freight forwarders’ ability to deliver goods by air.
Private and state players are expanding cargo transportation offerings. The new airline Alpha Sky has launched weekly flights to deliver express cargo from Hong Kong. Karaganda’s Sary-Arka Airport aims to become a multimodal hub by attracting private investments and implementing a consistent airport development program, including the launch of the cargo airline Altair Airlines. The Kazakh government plans to establish four regional hubs in Almaty, Shymkent, Astana, and Aktobe, aiming to strengthen the country’s role as a transit hub between East and West through infrastructure investments.
In Uzbekistan, market liberalization has stimulated the growth of private companies. My Freighter has become the largest player by expanding its fleet of Boeing 767-300BCF aircraft to six and launching routes to China and Europe. Fly Khiva is also entering the European market. In the autumn of 2024, the first flights of the new cargo airline SpaceeBee Airlines took place.
Regional initiatives highlight Kazakhstan’s and Uzbekistan’s ambitions to strengthen their roles as transport hubs in global supply chains by 2025.
