Kazakhstan's busiest gateway connecting Central Asia to the world.
Opened
1935
Location
Almaty, Kazakhstan
Almaty International Airport (ALA/UAAA) is the largest and busiest airport in Kazakhstan, serving the country's most populous city and former capital, Almaty. It functions as the primary hub for international and domestic air travel in Kazakhstan and across much of Central Asia.
The airport underwent significant modernization and expansion efforts in the 2010s and 2020s, improving capacity and passenger facilities. It handles tens of millions of passengers annually and serves as a key transit point between Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
In 2021, TAV Airports, a Turkish airport operator, acquired a majority stake in the airport, bringing further investment and operational improvements to the facility.
Terminals
The airport has two passenger terminals, with Terminal 1 handling international flights and Terminal 2 handling domestic operations.
Getting to & from
The airport is connected to the city center via public bus routes and taxi services, with the journey taking approximately 30 to 40 minutes depending on traffic.
Airlines here
Air Astana serves as the primary hub carrier, with additional services from Turkish Airlines, Aeroflot, flydubai, Ural Airlines, and other regional carriers.
Notable facts
- ›Almaty International Airport is situated approximately 15 kilometers northeast of Almaty's city center.
- ›TAV Airports acquired a controlling stake in the airport in 2021 under a concession agreement.
- ›The airport serves as the main hub for Kazakhstan's flag carrier, Air Astana.
- ›It is one of the oldest commercial airports in Central Asia, with origins dating to the Soviet era.
- ›The airport handled over 8 million passengers in 2019 before COVID-19 disrupted traffic.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
