Kazakh minister says new Astana airport could take at least five years

Construction of Astana’s new airport could take five years or more, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Transport Minister Talgat Lastayev said, describing that timeframe as typical for megaprojects of this scale.

Lastayev said a feasibility study and design and cost documentation were being prepared, with survey work also under way. The authorities intend to advance the project as quickly as possible to renew the capital’s aviation infrastructure.

A month ago, Astana’s city administration, Kazakhstan’s Transport Ministry and Changi Airports International signed a framework agreement. It covers cooperation on a new airport and development of Astana’s existing international airport.

The parties are also considering the Singaporean company’s possible participation in management and operations at the existing airport. Changi Airports International is a subsidiary of state-owned Changi Airport Group and has project experience at more than 90 airports in 35 countries.