Kazarman Airport Reopens in Kyrgyzstan After Two-Decade Hiatus

Kazarman Airport in Kyrgyzstan’s southern Jalal-Abad region has resumed operations after more than 20 years, following an extensive reconstruction by JSC Airports of Kyrgyzstan.

Situated near the village of Kazarman, the facility now features a renovated 1,840-meter runway, upgraded taxiways, aircraft parking areas, and a refurbished passenger terminal, The Caspian Post reports, citing The Times of Central Asia.

Capable of handling aircraft up to 22 tons, the airport currently operates during daylight hours.

Built in 1985, Kazarman Airport previously served flights to Bishkek, Osh, and Jalal-Abad. On August 12, state-owned Asman Airlines made its first flight to the renovated airport, and regular flights to Bishkek are scheduled to begin in early September.

“The return of Kazarman Airport to operation is an important step for the development of the country’s transport network. Now residents and visitors of the Jalal-Abad region will be able to get to Bishkek faster and more conveniently,” said Manasbek Samidinov, Chairman of the Board of JSC Airports of Kyrgyzstan.

The reopening comes as Kyrgyzstan continues to expand its aviation infrastructure. In May 2025, construction began on a new international airport in Jalal-Abad, the country’s third-largest city, designed to handle passenger and cargo aircraft including Boeing 737s and Airbus A320/A321s.

At the groundbreaking, President Sadyr Japarov highlighted rising demand for both domestic and international flights. Since 2021, passenger traffic has grown by 46% and the number of flights by 31%, he said. Asman Airlines has restored all domestic routes linking Bishkek with Talas, Karakol, and Kerben, and in 2024 added two Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 short-haul aircraft to its fleet.

The Kazarman and Jalal-Abad projects are part of a broader strategy to modernize Kyrgyzstan’s airports. Work began in February 2025 on a new complex at Osh International Airport, and Karakol International Airport and Talas Airport have already opened. Renovations are also underway at Issyk-Kul International Airport and Naryn Airport.