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Almaty International Airport
Almaty, Kazakhstan
Almaty International Airport
Kazakhstan's busiest gateway connecting Central Asia to the world.
- ›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.
Almaty International Airport, serving Kazakhstan's largest city and former capital, has been the primary air hub of Central Asia since the Soviet era. Situated approximately 15 kilometres north-east of the city centre, it handles the bulk of international traffic into Kazakhstan alongside a dense domestic network. The airport plays a strategic role connecting the region to Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
- Terminal 1 — The older Soviet-era terminal now primarily handling select domestic and regional flights.
- Terminal 2 — The main international terminal, modernised for higher passenger volumes and international carriers.
- Airport shuttle bus (Route 79) connecting to Sayakhat bus station in the city
- City bus services with stops on the main road outside arrivals
- Licensed airport taxis available at designated stands outside terminals
- Ride-hailing apps including Yandex Go and InDriver widely available
- Car rental desks operated by international and local agencies in the arrivals hall
- Rixos Almaty
- Marriott Almaty
- Novotel Almaty City Centre
- Kazzhol Hotel
- Hampton by Hilton Almaty
Inside the terminals, passengers will find a mix of local Kazakh eateries, international fast-food outlets, and coffee shops offering baked goods and light meals. Airside dining options expand after security, with bars and cafes suitable for long layovers. For a more authentic experience, the city's Green Bazaar and nearby restaurants are just a taxi ride away.
- Exchange currency at bank kiosks inside the terminal for better rates than street exchanges.
- Confirm which terminal your flight departs from, as Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 require separate check-in queues.
- Yandex Go is generally cheaper and more reliable than unmetered taxis; agree on a price before boarding any unofficial cab.
- Almaty's altitude and mountain proximity can bring sudden weather changes; carry a layer even in summer.
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Almaty International Airport is an international airport in Almaty, Kazakhstan. It is larger than Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport (NQZ) in Astana and is the main international gateway into the country. It is a principal hub of Air Astana, the national flag carrier, as well as other domestic and international airlines. The airport plays role in connecting Almaty to the rest of the country and the broader region through its extensive transport links.
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