While global aviation is dealing with expensive fuel, aircraft shortages and overloaded airports, Kazakhstan has reached an important moment. Passenger traffic is growing, the map of international routes is expanding, and the country has a real chance to become Central Asia’s key aviation hub. Why this opportunity should not be missed - in an interview-style article focused on the position of Rafael Schvartzman, IATA’s Regional Vice-President for Europe, and the outcomes of the IATA forum in Rio de Janeiro, DKNews.kz reports.
The IATA Annual General Meeting in Rio de Janeiro became one of the year’s most important aviation events. Airline executives, airport representatives, regulators, manufacturers and experts gathered in Brazil - people whose decisions will help shape how the world flies in the coming years.
At first glance, aviation is once again in strong shape. People are travelling actively, international routes are recovering, airports are filling up with passengers, and airlines are opening new destinations. But behind this growth lies a difficult reality: flying is becoming more expensive, more complex and more competitive.
That was exactly what was discussed at the IATA forum in Rio. The main topics included rising airline costs, expensive jet fuel, delays in aircraft deliveries, infrastructure shortages, sustainable aviation fuel and the role of governments in creating conditions for the industry’s development.
For Kazakhstan, all of this is not just a global agenda. It is directly connected to the country’s future as an aviation hub.
Why is the IATA forum in Rio important for Kazakhstan?
Global aviation challenges were discussed in Rio. How are they connected to Kazakhstan?
The connection is direct. Kazakhstan is now at a point where aviation can become not just a transport sector, but one of the drivers of the economy. The country has a favorable geographical position between Europe and Asia, a growing domestic market, a developing international network and an ambition to become the air transport center of Central Asia.
But global problems quickly reach every market. If there is a shortage of aircraft worldwide, this affects the plans of Kazakh airlines. If fuel becomes more expensive, this puts pressure on ticket prices. If airports cannot keep up with passenger traffic, service quality, transfers and transit potential suffer.
That is why the IATA forum in Rio was an important signal for Kazakhstan: aviation is growing, but from now on, the countries that win will be those that can adapt quickly.
IATA
What is Kazakhstan’s main opportunity?
What makes Kazakhstan interesting for global aviation?
Kazakhstan’s main advantage is geography. The country is located where the interests of Europe, Asia, China, the Middle East and Central Asia intersect. This is a strong starting position that cannot be bought or built in just a few years.
But geography alone does not turn a country into a hub. To become a true aviation center, Kazakhstan needs modern airports, strong airlines, clear rules, competitive tariffs, safety, high-quality service and convenient transit.
Rafael Schvartzman, IATA’s Regional Vice-President for Europe, has previously noted that Kazakhstan can use global passenger and cargo flows while strengthening itself as an attractive destination.
“Kazakhstan has the opportunity to benefit from global passenger and cargo flows while also positioning itself as a unique and attractive destination.”
This is an important point. Kazakhstan does not have to be merely a transit point where passengers switch from one flight to another. It can become a country people fly to deliberately - for business, tourism, investment, forums, major events and new opportunities.
What could prevent Kazakhstan from becoming a hub?
What issues could slow Kazakhstan’s aviation growth today?
There are several key risks.
The first is infrastructure. If passenger traffic grows faster than airports, queues, delays, overloaded terminals and transfer problems appear. For a country that wants to become a hub, this is critical. Passengers choose not only the price of the ticket, but also the convenience of the entire journey.
The second risk is the cost of infrastructure. Airports must develop, but charges and tariffs should not become a barrier for airlines. If it is expensive for carriers to fly to a country, they will be more cautious about opening new routes.
The third factor is international standards. Aviation is built on trust. Flight safety, maintenance, staff training, digital processes, passenger handling and baggage handling must all meet global requirements.
The fourth issue is the shortage of aircraft. This is no longer a local problem, but a global challenge. Airlines want to expand, but deliveries of new aircraft are delayed. For fast-growing markets such as Kazakhstan, this is especially sensitive.
IATA
In simple terms, there is demand for flights. There is interest in the country. But for this interest to turn into sustainable growth, the aviation system must keep pace with the market.
Why does IATA focus on rules and standards?
Why are international standards so important for Kazakhstan?
Because aviation is an industry where development cannot be approximate. Precision, safety and predictability matter.
If Kazakhstan wants more international flights, more European routes and greater trust from global airlines and passengers, the country needs to work according to clear and recognized rules.
This is not only about flight safety. Airport efficiency, digitalization, transparent procedures, service quality, baggage handling, transfer processes and cooperation between the state and airlines are also important.
For today’s passenger, an airport is not just a building. It is the first impression of a country. If everything is fast, clear and convenient, people remember it. If they lose time in queues, face disorder or experience an inconvenient transfer, they remember that too.
That is why aviation standards for Kazakhstan are not bureaucracy. They are part of national competitiveness.
What does aviation give the economy?
Why is aviation development important not only for passengers, but for the whole economy?
Because every new route is more than just a flight on a schedule.
It means tourists, business trips, cargo, investment, conferences, new jobs and money coming into cities and regions. Aviation connects a country with the world faster than many other sectors.
This is especially important for Kazakhstan. The country wants to be not on the edge of routes, but a point of attraction. If the aviation system works efficiently, not only airlines and airports will benefit. Hotels, restaurants, tour operators, small businesses, logistics, regions and the entire economy will also gain.
One new international flight can bring tourists to the country. Several new routes can change the business activity of a city. Convenient transit can turn an airport into part of a large global network.
That is the power of aviation: it does not simply move people. It creates connections.
How did the forum in Rio change the agenda?
What was the main signal from the IATA AGM in Rio de Janeiro?
The main signal was simple: the post-pandemic recovery period is over. Aviation has entered a new stage - a fight for efficiency.
The world is flying actively again, but flying has become more complex and more expensive. Fuel, geopolitics, delays in aircraft deliveries, overloaded infrastructure and environmental requirements are creating a new reality.
For Kazakhstan, this means there is less time for slow decisions. If the country wants to become a leader in Central Asia, it needs to act now: develop airports, strengthen competition, raise standards, improve service and think several years ahead.
Rio showed that in aviation, simple growth is no longer enough. Growth has to be managed properly.
Why does sustainable aviation fuel matter?
IATA talks a lot about sustainable aviation fuel. Is this relevant for Kazakhstan?
Yes, although at first glance the topic may seem distant.
Sustainable aviation fuel is becoming one of the main issues in the future of global aviation. It is needed to reduce emissions and meet the industry’s climate goals. But for Kazakhstan, this may be not only an environmental agenda, but also an economic one.
The country has an energy base, industrial potential and opportunities to develop new sectors. If Kazakhstan can eventually enter the production or supply chain for sustainable aviation fuel, this could become a new economic niche.
Today, it may sound like a task for the future. But aviation is precisely the kind of industry where decisions are made decades ahead. The countries that start preparing earlier will gain an advantage.
What should Kazakhstan do now?
What steps will be important for Kazakhstan in the coming years?
Kazakhstan should not simply be pleased with the growth of passenger traffic. It needs to manage that growth.
First, the country should continue developing its airports. But this should not be limited to building terminals. Capacity, logistics, digitalization, baggage processes, border control and convenient transit all matter.
Second, accessible infrastructure must be supported. Airport charges and operating conditions should help airlines open new routes, not discourage them.
Third, international safety and operational efficiency standards need to be strengthened. This is the foundation of trust in the market.
Fourth, competition should be developed. The more carriers and routes there are, the more choice passengers have, and the healthier the market becomes.
Fifth, Kazakhstan needs to think about the future: sustainable fuel, digital technologies, cargo transportation, transit and new tourist routes.
If these elements come together, Kazakhstan can turn its geographical position into a real aviation advantage.
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The main conclusion
Kazakhstan is in a strong position today, but this is not a permanent guarantee. Geography has given the country an opportunity. Growing passenger traffic shows that the market is reviving. IATA’s international agenda shows where global aviation is heading.
Now everything depends on the speed of decisions.
The IATA forum in Rio reminded everyone that global aviation is becoming more expensive, more complex and more competitive. In such a situation, the winners are not those who simply wait for growth, but those who prepare their infrastructure, standards and service in advance.
Kazakhstan has the opportunity to become not just a country people fly over, but a country through which it is convenient, efficient and interesting to fly.
If this opportunity is used correctly, aviation could become one of Kazakhstan’s strongest growth stories in the coming years.
