Lack of jet fuel is main issue facing aviation sector – Kazakh PM

Kazakhstan has been observing positive results in the development of aviation sector, Kazakh Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov said during a government session Tuesday, Kazinform News Agency correspondent reports. 

The aviation sector has been demonstrating positive results as the number of flights has almost doubled over the year to reach up to 410 thousand, said Smailov during the government session.

The head of the Kazakh government noted that the passenger flow is to expect a 22% rise to around 13 million people. Domestic flights have increased to 644 flights per week on 51 routes.

This year, flights on 16 international routes have been opened and resumed. New flights to Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Tokyo and other cities are set to be opened next year. Airport infrastructure is being developed. There are private investors, who have so far invested in the development of our airports around $2.1bn, said the Kazah Prime minister.

The Kazakh PM pointed out that the country lacks around 300 thousand tons of jet fuel per year, which it imports from abroad. To address the issue, Smailov propose to diversify the fuel supply channels as well as create the appropriate infrastructure for storage. He also proposes to introduce different mechanisms for the development of airport infrastructure, full automatization of goods and passenger registration procedures, enabling to increase the volume of goods handling from 130 thousand to 1 million tons per year, as well as increase the passenger flow to 25 million people by 2030.