Almaty International Airport, Kazakhstan: Information, Location, and Notes

Kazakhstan may be a somewhat unfamiliar destination for Vietnamese tourists, but it promises to be an excellent choice for those passionate about discovering new lands. This Central Asian country boasts breathtaking natural beauty with lush green steppes, majestic mountains, and romantic rivers. It also has a unique culture with religious diversity and many modern, unique architectural structures. If you plan to travel to Kazakhstan soon, you can choose to visit Almaty - an ancient city of Kazakhstan which is very convenient to reach by air.

To make your journey exploring Almaty, Kazakhstan easier and more convenient, besides information about flight tickets, do not miss the details and notes about Almaty Airport (Almaty International Airport) in the article below.

1. Does Almaty, Kazakhstan have an airport?

Almaty is one of the largest and oldest cities in Kazakhstan, located in the southeastern part of the country, beneath the Tian Shan mountains. The city was the capital of Kazakhstan until 1997 and remains a significant cultural, financial, and communications center in Central Asia.

Therefore, the infrastructure and transportation systems here are modern, meeting the travel needs of tourists. Domestic and international tourists can travel by air to Almaty International Airport. Although the airport's size is not too large, it has been increasingly upgraded and improved in recent years. Currently, Almaty Airport has reached international airport standards, serving all domestic and international flight needs.

To explore the beauty of Almaty, Kazakhstan, you can travel from Vietnam by air and land at Almaty International Airport.

2. About Almaty International Airport

Almaty International Airport is located in the northeast of Almaty, about 25 minutes from the city center. It is the busiest airport in Kazakhstan and Central Asia. In 2023, Almaty International Airport welcomed 9,547,136 passengers.

Full name: Almaty International Airport (Almaty International Airport)
Address: B. Mailin Street 2, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Airport code (IATA): ALA
Number of terminals: 2
Number of floors: 2
GMT time zone: +6

3. History and development of Almaty International Airport, Kazakhstan

Early phase: Almaty International Airport was constructed in 1935, initially used for military purposes. By 1954, Almaty Airport began operating as a civilian airport. In 1960, the airport's first passenger terminal was built. In 1998, Almaty Airport became an international airport. It was recognized as an international airport after the runway was reconstructed. However, in 1999, a fire occurred, causing some damage to the airport. After the incident, Almaty Airport was invested in for upgrades and expansion.
Expansion and development phase: In 2004, a new terminal was completed. In 2008, the airport's second runway was officially inaugurated, which is the longest runway in Central Asia. Until April 2013, Almaty International Airport completed a comprehensive master planning project to accommodate the increasing passenger traffic and cargo volume for the next two decades. On February 17, 2012, Almaty International Airport was recognized as the best airport in the CIS and received the "For Achievements in the Development of International Airports" award at the 32nd meeting of the Aviation and Airspace Council of the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC).
2017: Almaty Airport was renamed Almaty International Airport. In the years 2022, due to political instability, Almaty International Airport had to temporarily suspend many flights. However, the operation and passenger services at Almaty International Airport are currently proceeding normally and securely. Passengers can confidently book flights to Almaty International Airport, which continues to be an important hub for tourism, commerce, and investment in Kazakhstan.

In 1998, Almaty Airport became an international airport and has been continuously upgraded to serve the travel needs of domestic and international tourists.

4. What flights are available at Almaty International Airport, Kazakhstan?

As the busiest airport in Kazakhstan, Almaty International Airport serves over 50 domestic and international airlines, with flights to more than 20 destinations in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

4.1 Domestic Flights

Almaty International Airport is the hub for major domestic airlines in Kazakhstan such as Astana Airlines, Fly Arystan, etc. The airport operates numerous flights to various major cities across Kazakhstan.

4.2 International Flights

The airport offers flights to over 20 destinations. Renowned airlines such as British Midland Airways, Asiana Airlines, Etihad Airways, China Southern Airlines, and Lufthansa provide services to Almaty.

Vietjet is the only Vietnamese airline operating direct flights to Almaty International Airport. You can conveniently and quickly book flights to Almaty, Kazakhstan from Cam Ranh International Airport. The direct flight from Cam Ranh to Almaty, Kazakhstan takes just over 6 hours, allowing you to save significant travel time and make your trip more complete. Additionally, Vietjet offers exclusive promotions when booking flights to Almaty International Airport. A flash sale program offering tickets at just 0 VND takes place every Friday. Remember to note the time to "hunt" for the best-priced tickets to Almaty, Kazakhstan. See details HERE!

Vietjet operates direct flights from Cam Ranh International Airport to Almaty International Airport, both one-way and round-trip without needing any layovers.

5. Overview of Almaty International Airport, Kazakhstan

5.1 Runways and Airport Scale

Almaty International Airport has two runways. The first runway is 4,400 meters long and 60 meters wide, equipped with Cat IIB ABB lighting systems installed in 1998 to facilitate runway illumination during the winter. The second runway, constructed in 2008, is longer than the first, measuring 4,500 meters. It is also 60 meters wide and equipped with Cat IIIB lighting equipment. This new runway can accommodate all types of aircraft without restrictions on takeoff weight and operational frequency.

5.2 Terminals

Almaty International Airport in Kazakhstan has two terminals:

Terminal 1: This new terminal serves both domestic and international passengers. It includes facilities specially designed for people with disabilities, elevators, and conveyor belts for luggage. The ground floor of the terminal is used for domestic flights.
Terminal 2: Although an older facility, this terminal is fully equipped to serve a wide variety of passenger needs. It primarily handles domestic flights.

5.3 Terminal Services

Almaty International Airport in Kazakhstan caters to a variety of passenger needs with the following services:

ATMs: Available for most international cards, meeting the cash withdrawal needs of both domestic and international travelers.
Currency Exchange: Currency exchange counters are available at the terminals for international travelers.
Free WiFi: Passengers can access WiFi at the airport. However, a local SIM card is necessary to use the WiFi service.
Dining Area: The terminals offer dining areas for passengers. However, the variety of food and beverages has not been highly rated by travelers, and prices are considered quite high, so budget-conscious travelers should plan accordingly.
Special Services: Extended services for VIP guests in separate lounges.
In addition, the airport offers other services such as gift shops, duty-free shops, and medical facilities.

The terminals at Almaty International Airport offer a variety of services to enhance the comfort of passengers' travel experience.

6. How to travel from Almaty International Airport to downtown Almaty, Kazakhstan

6.1 Travel by bus

The most economical way to travel from Almaty International Airport to the city center and vice versa is by bus. Depending on your destination, you can choose from several bus routes such as 79, 86, 92, or 106. These bus services operate every 15 minutes from 6 AM to 9 PM.

6.2 Travel by taxi

There are many taxis available at the airport. Independent taxi drivers are always waiting outside the airport. However, when using this service, you need to be cautious about the pricing.

For safety and to avoid being overcharged, you can opt for the airport’s taxi service, which has a fixed rate price list. You can find the Eko-Taxi booth inside the airport, and their taxis are clearly marked with the company’s logo and name. Additionally, you can also use apps like Yandex or Uber.

The cost of traveling by taxi is approximately 2,500 – 3,000 Tenge (about 144,000 - 173,000 VND), depending on where you need to go in Almaty.

6.3 Hotel shuttle service

If the hotel where you have booked a room offers an airport shuttle service, contact them to use the service. Depending on the specific accommodation, the service may be free or may require an additional fee.

6.4 Car rental

Almaty International Airport also offers private car rental services. Europcar is the car rental service available at the airport, with a service counter on-site. If needed, you can rent a car directly there.

Don't forget to "hunt" for tickets to Almaty International Airport, Kazakhstan, with prices starting at 0 VND at Vietjet every Friday!

I hope the above information about Almaty International Airport, Kazakhstan, will be useful for your upcoming trip to Almaty, Kazakhstan. Don't forget to hunt for plane tickets to Almaty International Airport, Kazakhstan, at Vietjet with prices starting at 0 VND! The program takes place every Friday. See details HERE!

Also, to stay updated on the flight schedule for Almaty International Airport, Kazakhstan, and the latest prices for Vietjet’s flights, you can visit the following Vietjet channels: