Kazakhstan to Launch State-Backed Cargo Airline in 2026

Kazakhstan is set to establish a national cargo airline in early 2026, aiming to become one of Central Asia’s key air freight hubs. The project, led by the “Samruk-Kazyna” fund, will begin with the leasing of three aircraft, with plans to expand the fleet to ten over time.

Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov stated that the initiative will help direct transit cargo flows through Kazakhstan and strengthen the country’s position in the market.

The new airline is expected to operate as a feeder carrier in cooperation with a major foreign airline.Samruk-Kazyna is also the main shareholder of Air Astana.

Currently, Kazakhstan has only one private cargo airline, Alpha Sky, while neighboring Uzbekistan operates five cargo carriers.