Astana - international airport: history, current state, prospects

Kazakhstan occupies a favorable location from the point of view 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 railway station, represented by a building for 8 rooms, also an air sampler, a two-room structure for pilots, a basement gasoline storage. A pedestrian path and a ferry connected him to the city. For the time of floods the airport was closed.

The first settlement, with which Astana's regular air service was established, was next year Semei (then Semipalatinsk). The planes were transported by K-5, P-5, K-4, PR-5, P-2.

Since 1946, the PO-2 of the Karaganda aviation enterprise has been permanently based here. On the basis of this in 2 years, a link was formed from the three postscript PO-2 specialists, included in the Karaganda air squad.

By that time, significantly improved the equipment and expanded the airport: built a Finnish house for a radio station, a garage and 3 samannye houses. The number of staff increased from 40 to 50 people. We began to take heavy aircraft Li-2.

In 1951, the runway was lengthened and the Il-12 and Il-14 began to be planted. In 1954, formed a squadron, and the park replenished An-2 and Yak-12. Since 1956 the round-the-clock work has begun, and the Akmola united air squadron was created. In 1959, the network of overhead lines significantly increased with the advent of AN-2 aircraft. The next year the airport gained class 3.

In 1961, he received the first LI-2 aircraft. In 1963 the functioning of the new airport began, which replaced the name together with the city to Akmolinsk. In 1969 the volume of transportations has considerably increased, and the transport network with reception АН-24 has extended.

Since 1975, the flight from Alma-Ata via Tselinograd (Astana) to Moscow and back to TU-154 began.

Of great importance was the fact that Akmola (Astana) gained the status of the capital instead of Alma-Ata. After that, the international airport was reconstructed: the runway, the apron, taxiways, replaced the radio navigation and lighting equipment, reconstructed the airport terminal, built the VIP building.

From 2002 to 2005, another reconstruction was carried out, including the creation of a new passenger terminal.

Since 2013, Astana International Airport is operated by the Kazakhstan Temir Zholy Airport Management Group. Now it is being reconstructed.

Current state

JSC "International Airport of Astana" is the second in the country for domestic air transportation after Alma-Ata. It has one runway, capable of taking any aircraft. Kazakhstan is characterized by an annually increasing passenger turnover of air transportation, including Astana. The international airport reached in 2015 this indicator of about 3.4 million people. The number of departures is up to 40 per day. The 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 obtaining control over several airports in Kazakhstan conducted a study of their condition and functioning for the subsequent reconstruction. The JSC "International Airport Astana" was also studied. The responses of visitors, journalists and akim, Adilbek Dzhaksybekov, testified about such problems as the long queues at passport control, unstable work of the program, high prices, ignorance of the staff of foreign languages, etc. This was particularly critical in the context of the fact that in 2017 in Kazakhstan will host the EXPO exhibition. The venue is Astana. The international airport, therefore, will accept the majority of its visitors. This will increase the passenger flow, which already has difficulties.

Reconstruction

On the basis of this, the already realized reconstruction project for the Astana airport was developed. The international airport will first of all receive a new terminal, the capacity of which will be 4 million people per year. With the introduction of its operation, the total passenger turnover will double (to 7 million people per year), and the old terminal will be transferred to domestic flights. The system of passport and customs control has been replaced to simplify their passage. In addition, it is planned to improve the quality of service. To this end, the Airport Management Group cooperates with world leaders in providing passenger services (Swiss Post) and providing on-board catering (Gate Gourmet). Thanks to this, the quality of service and food will be improved both at the airport and in airplanes. At the same time it is expected to reduce prices in the shops and cafes of the airport. In addition, they plan to organize a taxi and improve transport connections with the city.

Finally, it is possible to implement the "open skies" rule, through which the airport revenues will rise from the service of foreign airlines that can fly without agreements and restrictions.

In addition, the expediency of creating an international air hub in Astana is considered.