Kazakhstan occupies a favorable location in terms of the transport system, linking Europe and the United States with Asia. The second largest in the country is Astana International Airport. Further its history, modern parameters and prospects are considered.
History
The airport in Astana appeared in 1930, then it was called Akmola. The airport included a square runway, a station represented by a building with 8 rooms, an adobe oil pan, a two-room pilot building, and a basement gas storage. A walking trail and a ferry connected it with the city. At the time of floods, the airport was closed.
The first locality with which Astana had regular air links was Semey (then Semipalatinsk) the following year. Transportation was carried out by K-5, P-5, K-4, PR-5, P-2 aircraft.
Since 1946, PO-2 of the Karaganda airline began to be constantly based here. On the basis of this, after 2 years, a link of three assigned specialists of PO-2 was formed, which was included in the Karaganda air squad.
By that time, they had significantly improved equipment and expanded the airport: they built a Finnish house for a radio station, a garage and 3 adobe houses. The number of staff increased from 40 to 50 people. We began to take heavy Li-2 aircraft.
In 1951, the landing field was lengthened and IL-12 and IL-14 began to land. In 1954, a squadron was formed, and the fleet was replenished with An-2 and Yak-12. Since 1956, round-the-clock work began, and the Akmola Joint Squadron was created. In 1959, the network of overhead lines was significantly increased with the advent of the AN-2 aircraft. The following year, the airport acquired class 3.
In 1961, he received the first LI-2 aircraft. In 1963, the operation of the new airport began, which changed its name together with the city to Akmolinsk. In 1969, the volume of traffic increased significantly, and the transport network expanded to receive the AN-24.
Since 1975, began flights from Almaty through Tselinograd (Astana) to Moscow and back to TU-154.
Of great importance was the fact that instead of Alma-Ata the status of the capital was acquired by Akmola (Astana). After that, the international airport was reconstructed: the runway, apron, taxiways were increased, radio navigation and lighting equipment was replaced, the terminal was reconstructed, and the VIP building was erected.
From 2002 to 2005, another reconstruction was carried out, including the creation of a new passenger terminal.
Since 2013, Astana International Airport has been managed by the Kazakhstan Temir Zholy Airport Management Group. Now it is being reconstructed.
Current state
Astana International Airport JSC is the second in the country in domestic air transportation after Alma-Ata. It has one runway capable of accepting any aircraft. Kazakhstan is characterized by an annually increasing passenger turnover of air transportation, including Astana. The international airport in 2015 reached this figure of about 3.4 million people. The number of departures is up to 40 per day. The carrying capacity is 750 people and 600 tons of cargo per hour. The airport serves 14 airlines and provides communication with all regional centers of Kazakhstan, as well as with various cities of the world.
Problems
Airport Management Group, with control over several airports in Kazakhstan, conducted a study of their condition and functioning for subsequent reconstruction. The International Airport Astana JSC was also studied. The feedback from visitors, journalists and the akim, Adilbek Dzhaksybekov, testified to such problems as long lines at passport control, unstable work of the program, high prices, lack of knowledge of foreign languages by the staff, etc. This was especially critical in the context of the fact that in 2017, Kazakhstan will host the EXPO exhibition. The venue is Astana. The international airport, therefore, will receive most of its visitors. This will increase the passenger flow, which is already having difficulties.
Reconstruction
Based on this, an already implemented project for the reconstruction of Astana Airport was developed. First of all, the international airport will receive a new terminal, the throughput of which will be 4 million people a year. With its commissioning, the total passenger turnover will double (up to 7 million people per year), and the old terminal will be transferred to domestic flights. Replaced the system of passport and customs control to simplify their passage. In addition, it is planned to improve the quality of services. To this end, the Airport Management Group collaborates with world leaders in the provision of passenger services (Swiss Post) and in-flight catering (Gate Gourmet). Thanks to this, the quality of service and food will be improved both at the airport and on airplanes. At the same time, it is supposed to reduce prices in shops and cafe of the airport. In addition, they plan to organize a taxi and improve transport links with the city.
Finally, it is possible to implement the “open skies” rule, due to which airport revenues will increase from servicing foreign airlines that can fly without coordination and restrictions.
In addition, the feasibility of creating an international air hub in Astana is being considered.