Russian-Kazakh entrepreneur's holding acquires 60% stake in company that owns Karaganda Airport

ASTANA. May 30 (Interfax) - Turlov Private Holding, headed by entrepreneur Timur Turlov, has acquired a 60% stake in Sky Service LLP, the owner of Karaganda Sary-Arka Airport, Freedom Broker, part of Freedom Holding Corp, told Interfax.

Turlov Private Holding as part of the deal has bought a part in the stake of entrepreneur Yerlan Ospanov, who remains a co-owner of Sky Service LLP. The Citizens Government portal indicates that Verny Capital CEO Aidan Akanov is the third participant in Sky Service LLP with a minority stake.

Ospanov confirmed to Interfax that the deal has indeed occurred.

Ospanov, who is from Karaganda, Kazakhstan, was one of the founders of and partners in the Verny Capital investment company in 2007, and he has been CEO of the Verny Capital group since 2012. However, he announced plans at the end of last year that he would be resigning on January 1, 2024, Forbes Kazakhstan said. Meantime, there were reports that he had purchased the Karaganda Airport.

"A new challenge for me is my acquisition of the Karaganda Airport. We have every chance to turn it into a real aviation cargo hub," Ospanov said.

Forbes Kazakhstan said that the Karaganda Sary-Arka Airport was previously listed among the assets of the Verny Capital group [included within the business perimeter of Bulat Utemuratov, who is among Kazakhstan's richest citizens].

Founded by Timur Turlov and Olga Baskakova, Turlov Private Holding was registered in 2021 at the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC). The AIFC website indicates that the company is involved in investment activities, using its own funds.

The Karaganda Sary-Arka Airport is among the largest airports in Kazakhstan. Sky Service LLP has been the sole shareholder in the airport since 2006.