UAE's Terminals Holding to invest $1.1 bln in Astana Airport expansion

ALMATY. May 13 (Interfax) - Kazakhstan's Transport Ministry and UAE-based Terminals Astana Airport Limited, part of Terminals Holding, signed a $1.1 billion agreement Tuesday to expand Astana International Airport and develop surrounding infrastructure.

The deal includes the construction of a second runway, a new, third passenger terminal, a dedicated cargo terminal and development of an aerotropolis complex with logistics facilities, hotels and commercial spaces.

"The investor will also modernize ground support equipment, implement digital automation systems, and provide comprehensive staff training to meet international aviation standards," the Transport Ministry said.

In a related development, the transport ministries of Kazakhstan and the UAE signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperation in road transportation. The agreement paves the way for future technical exchanges and cross-border freight. Kazakhstan currently maintains similar agreements with 42 nations.

Astana Airport, Kazakhstan's second busiest international gateway after Almaty, has no operating restrictions on aircraft size or weight. Terminals Holding maintains ties with Abu Dhabi's AD Ports Group and co-owns Caspian Integrated Maritime Solutions (CIMS), a Kazakhstan-UAE joint venture for Caspian Sea shipping operations.