Astana, 4 November, . The cargo airline KTZ Air Cargo plans to build a fleet of ten aircraft by 2030: the first will be bought this year and the second is expected next year, deputy transport minister Maxat Kaliakparov said at a Government briefing.
According to the vice minister, the company is already negotiating aircraft purchases, but aircraft are in short supply on the world market, so part of the fleet will be leased. Purchases will be funded from the company’s own revenue and private investment. Kaliakparov confirmed that Kazakhstan Temir Zholy owns about 49% of the company and a private investor 51%; KTZ will continue to manage operations, while the private partner will handle investment and development.
KTZ Air Cargo was set up in October 2025 by the KTZ subsidiary KTZ Express for cargo routes between Asia and Europe via Kazakhstan. In March 2026, as ZTB writes, a controlling stake of 50.98% went to Timur Turlov’s Turlov Private Holding.
What it means: The national railway holding is entering air cargo together with a private investor, but because of the market shortage the first aircraft will arrive at one a year.
Who benefits: Kazakh transit, which gains an air leg between Asia and Europe, and the private investor holding the controlling stake; which aircraft models are being bought has not been announced.
Background: Earlier in the day first deputy prime minister Nurlybek Nalibayev spoke about upgrading cargo terminals at airports and the free economic zone regime at air hubs.
