Karakol International Airport opens new horizons for tourism

Archive news: originally published in Russian on 11 December 2024. The plans described below relate to the airport’s opening.

Karakol International Airport officially opened on 10 December 2024, becoming an important part of Kyrgyzstan’s transport infrastructure. President Sadyr Japarov attended the ceremony, underlining the event’s importance for the country.

A first milestone: a successful technical flight

The final stage of preparations was a technical flight from Bishkek to Karakol operated by the state-owned airline Asman Airlines. Its successful completion confirmed the airport’s readiness to begin full operations and welcome passengers.

New opportunities for tourism

The opening creates new opportunities for tourism in the Issyk-Kul region, known for its mountain resorts and ski areas. The region is expected to become more accessible to international visitors and domestic travellers.

Key areas of development include:

• Winter tourism: access to ski resorts, including the popular Karakol ski resort.
• Summer travel: routes through the region’s valleys, lakes and national parks.

Infrastructure improvements

According to the airport operator, the airport underwent comprehensive reconstruction:

• Runway infrastructure was upgraded to accommodate modern passenger aircraft.
• New terminal facilities were built to improve passenger service.
• Modern security and baggage screening systems were introduced.

Expectations and future plans

The opening is expected to support economic growth and investment in infrastructure projects across the region. A substantial increase in visitors from neighbouring countries and farther afield is anticipated.

Follow route updates on the Avia Traffic Company website. We look forward to welcoming you on board!