newstodate.aero

Aug 22, 2024 (newstodate): Turkish Airlines has a close eye on potentials in the Central Asian markets.
   The carrier is thus airing intentions to add flights to the fifth destination in Kazakhstan - Atyrau, in western Kazakhstan on the Caspian Sea.  
   Turkish Airlines is already operating flights from Istanbul to Almaty, Astana, Aktau and Turkestan.
   Kazakhstan is keen to develop its air connectivity, using an Open Skies policy as a key instrument.
   In November 2019, the Kazakh government announced Open Skies to be implemented for an initial period of three years at 11 airports in the country including Nur-Sultan, Almaty, Shymkent, Aktau, Karaganda, Ust-Kamenogorsk, Pavlodar, Kokshetau, Taraz, Petropavlovsk, and Semey.
   In 2023, the Civil Aviation Committee of the Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure Development of Kazakhstan extended by another five years the open skies' policy at 12 airports of the country until the end of 2027.
   The Open Skies policy now comprises 12 international airports in the cities of Astana, Alma-Ata, Taraz, Chimkent, Aktau, Semipalatinsk, Karaganda, Ust-Kamenogorsk, Pavlodar, Petropavlovsk, Kokshetau and Turkestan, and has also been implemented at the international airport of Aktobe.
   Hopes are that lifting restrictions on foreign airlines by granting 5th Freedom Rights will attract more carriers to operate via Kazakhstan on routes to other destinations in third countries not served by Kazakh carriers.