KTZ Express to form Kazakhstan's first national cargo airline

ASTANA. Aug 4 (Interfax) - Kazakhstan's first cargo airline will be established under KTZ Express, a subsidiary of national railway operator Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), KTZ Express told Interfax.

"The national cargo carrier will be created as a totally new subsidiary of KTZ Express JSC, which is part of National Company Kazakhstan Temir Zholy JSC," the company said.

Initially, the new cargo airline will operate domestic routes and international flights under intergovernmental agreements, including to Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) countries, Turkey, the UAE and other countries.

Cargo that will be carried by the airline will include electronics, auto parts, machinery components, industrial goods, e-commerce products, pharmaceuticals and perishable items.

A comprehensive business plan is currently being developed, with investment requirements, funding sources, and potential foreign partnerships to be determined later, KTZ Express said.

In January 2025, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said that neither of Kazakhstan-based airlines was fully involved in the air cargo market, and the head of stated called for the creation of an international air hub in the republic. He urged the modernization of major airports into competitive hubs with integrated passenger and cargo terminals, as well as logistics centers.

In late July 2025, Samruk-Kazyna Chairman Nurlan Zhakupov said a national cargo airline was expected to launch in early 2026. Initially, it will lease three aircraft, with plans to expand the fleet to ten.

To ensure profitability, the airline will receive guaranteed fuel supply support.

The government said that the project aligned with the growing global air cargo market, noting that around 15% of cargo traffic passes through Kazakhstan's airspace.

KTZ Express is a multimodal logistics company which specializes in import, export and transit transportation of goods. KTZ Express is wholly owned by Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, the operator of the country's railway system.

Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) is a transport, warehousing and distribution company, which is part of Kazakhstan's National Wealth Fund Samruk-Kazyna. KTZ operates the country's railways, the infrastructure of seaports and airports, transportation and warehousing facilities.