A comprehensive plan of measures will be developed in Kazakhstan aimed at reducing the cost of aviation fuel at airports, formulating response measures, and enhancing competition in the market for its sale, reports a correspondent from the business information center Kapital.kz, citing the press service of the Agency for Protection and Development of Competition.
During a meeting at the agency, the "approaches to lowering the cost of aviation fuel at the country’s airports, as well as issues related to market and infrastructure development, taking into account international experience, including practices from OECD countries" were discussed.
Chairman of the Agency for Protection and Development of Competition, Marat Omarov, emphasized that the "antimonopoly agency will make every effort for a constructive discussion on aviation fuel pricing issues."
On January 28, 2025, at an expanded government meeting, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated that it is necessary to create an international air hub in Kazakhstan. He identified this task as "urgent" and tasked the creation of a comprehensive ecosystem that includes cargo and passenger terminals, logistics centers, and modern services.
"It is essential to simplify all procedures for cargo handling and ensure the price accessibility of aviation fuel. This last point is crucial because aviation kerosene at our airports, particularly at the capital's airport, is excessively expensive. The antimonopoly agency, together with the government, must accomplish this task by the first half of the year," noted Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
It was previously reported that the Ministry of Transport plans to create a single operator for aviation fuel. The operator will be established based on KazMunayGas-Aero LLP. The company plans to construct a fuel refueling complex (FRC) at the Astana airport for 2.5 billion tenge and at the Aktobe airport for 5 billion tenge.
It is worth noting that Majilis deputy Murat Abenov believes that high air ticket prices in Kazakhstan are linked to the ineffective policies of the Ministry of Energy and KazMunayGas.