The joint Kazakh-German venture Skyhansa is implementing a large-scale project to build an international cargo and passenger airport near the Khorgos ICBC in the Zhetisu region. The decision was made on the instructions of the President of Kazakhstan and supported by the Government of the country. The new hub will be built in three stages on the territory of the Khorgos – Eastern Gate SEZ, taking into account ICAO standards. By 2027, it is planned to commission a passenger terminal, a fuel storage facility for JET A-1 (up to 200 thousand tons per year) and a cargo terminal with auto and rail infrastructure.
The project involves the development of a multimodal logistics model Air-Rail-Auto-Air and the creation of a modern logistics center of international level. The investment volume will be about 250 billion tenge. In addition to the aviation infrastructure, it is planned to build a business center, an aviation technical center (MRO), hotels and entertainment facilities. The airport will handle both cargo and passenger traffic, creating new points of economic growth at the crossroads of routes between China, Central Asia and Europe.
Following the talks between Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov and Skyhansa co-founder Christine Grötzbach, an investment agreement was signed between the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Skyhansa. The document provides for the use of predominantly domestic materials and the involvement of at least 90% of Kazakhstani specialists. The Kazakhstani side will provide connection to the engineering and transport infrastructure and provide SEZ benefits. The Hansa Consortium is participating in the project from the German side, and Skymax Technologies from the Kazakhstani side.