Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan Inaugurate Scenic Almaty–Karakol Air Route

KazAeroNavigatsiya RSE and KyrgyzAeroNavigatsia RE have formalized an agreement to open a new air route linking Almaty in Kazakhstan with Karakol in Kyrgyzstan via the Santash Pass.

The State Civil Aviation Agency of Kyrgyzstan confirmed that the route was developed to comply with current ICAO standards and the RNAV-5 navigation specification, ensuring both safety and operational efficiency in mountainous regions, The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.

“The corridor revives a historic flight path dating back to the 1970s and runs near the ‘Karkyra-Avtodorozhny’ border checkpoints,” the agency said. “Before its launch, we conducted a joint ground inspection and flight validation with a Beechcraft King Air 360 aircraft, confirming that the route adheres to international standards.”

The new route is part of broader plans by the Kazakh Transport Ministry to launch 19 additional air routes in 2025, connecting Kazakhstan with key destinations across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.