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Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport International Hub illustrationInternational Hub
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NQZlarge airport

Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport

Astana, Kazakhstan
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Destinations
UACC
ICAO
1165 ft
Elevation
AirlinesAirports profile

Kazakhstan's premier international gateway in the capital Astana.

Opened
1931
Location
Astana, Kazakhstan
Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport, coded NQZ/UACC, serves Astana, the capital city of Kazakhstan. The airport is the second busiest in the country after Almaty International Airport and functions as a key hub for both domestic and international travel across Central Asia. The airport was significantly expanded and modernized ahead of the EXPO 2017 international exhibition held in Astana. A new terminal was constructed for that occasion, increasing capacity and improving passenger facilities. The airport was renamed in honor of Kazakhstan's first president, Nursultan Nazarbayev, in 2019. Astana, previously known as Nur-Sultan and before that Astana, has seen rapid urban development, and the airport has grown alongside the city's expansion as a political and economic center of Kazakhstan.
Terminals
The airport operates a main terminal complex including a newer terminal (Terminal 2) opened for EXPO 2017, handling both international and domestic passengers.
Getting to & from
The airport is connected to central Astana via bus services, taxis, and ride-hailing apps, with the city center located approximately 15–17 kilometers away.
Airlines here
Air Astana serves as the primary hub carrier, with additional services from SCAT Airlines, FlyArystan, Turkish Airlines, and various other international carriers.
Notable facts
  • ›Renamed Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport in 2019 to honor Kazakhstan's founding president.
  • ›A new terminal was built to handle increased passenger traffic for EXPO 2017 hosted in Astana.
  • ›The airport is the primary hub for Air Astana, Kazakhstan's flag carrier.
  • ›The city served by the airport has gone through several name changes: Akmola, Astana, Nur-Sultan, and back to Astana in 2022.
  • ›Located in one of the world's coldest capital cities, the airport operates year-round despite harsh winter conditions.
Official website Wikipedia
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 Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.

Airlines serving this airport

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Routes

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City & Place Guide

Futuristic capital rising from the Central Asian steppe

Astana (formerly Nur-Sultan) is the gleaming capital of Kazakhstan, purpose-built from a modest Soviet-era city into a showcase of bold 21st-century architecture. Skyscrapers, domed structures, and wide boulevards dominate the left bank of the Ishim River, making it one of the most visually striking capitals in Asia.

Despite its modern exterior, Astana blends Kazakh culture, nomadic heritage, and cosmopolitan energy. World Expo 2017 left behind futuristic pavilions now open to the public, and the city hosts international events year-round. Winters are brutally cold but summers are warm and lively, drawing visitors from across the region.

  • •Bayterek Tower — iconic observation tower symbolizing a Kazakh mythological tree of life
  • •Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center — vast transparent tent housing a beach resort and shops
  • •Palace of Peace and Reconciliation — Norman Foster-designed pyramid hosting interfaith summits
  • •Nur-Astana Mosque — one of Central Asia's largest mosques with stunning gilded interiors
  • •National Museum of Kazakhstan — sweeping modern museum covering Kazakh history and nomadic culture
  • •EXPO 2017 Grounds — futuristic sphere and pavilions dedicated to future energy innovation

Getting around: Astana has a growing public bus network and a single metro line (Line 1) connecting key districts. Taxis are affordable and widely available; local apps like inDrive and Yandex Taxi offer reliable rideshare services. The compact left-bank area is walkable in summer, but winters demand covered or motorized transport.

Best time: Visit from June through August for warm weather, outdoor festivals, and the most comfortable sightseeing conditions.

Local food: Try beshbarmak (boiled meat over flat noodles), samsa pastries, and kumiss (fermented mare's milk) at local restaurants and the Green Bazaar.

This guide is provided for general information only. Verify details locally before making travel decisions.

Passport, Visa & Immigration

Flying internationally via NQZ? Check entry, transit and customs requirements for Kazakhstan from official government sources.

Kazakhstan visa & entry information →Embassy & consulate finder →
Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport
Encyclopaedia

Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport, alternatively referred by its previous name as Astana International Airport until 2017, is the international airport serving Astana, Kazakhstan, the capital and second most populous city in the country. It is the primary aviation hub for northern Kazakhstan. Regionally, it stands as the third-busiest international air passenger gateway into Central Asia. The airport is also the second-busiest airport in Kazakhstan and the 9th busiest in the Post-Soviet states in terms of total passenger traffic, air traffic movements and total cargo handled, with 8,315,108 passengers served in 2024. On average, the airport handles more than 200 departures a day.

Read full article on Wikipedia

Entity data from open aviation datasets (OurAirports, OpenFlights) with AI-assisted editorial clearly marked. Always confirm time-sensitive details with the official airport website. Sources & verification