Kokshetau Airport

Kokshetau International Airport (IATA: KOV, ICAO: UACK) (Kazakh: Халықаралық Көкшетау Әуежайы, romanized: Halyqaralyq Kókshetaý Áýejaıy) is an international airport in Akmola Region, Kazakhstan. It is the primary international airport serving Kokshetau, and also the nearest to the Burabay National Park and Kokshetau National Park. Opened in 1945, it is the seventeenth-busiest airport in terms of passenger traffic in Kazakhstan, with 21,427 passengers in calendar year 2018. The airport is located 12.5 km (7.8 mi) north-east[1] from the centre of Kokshetau, the capital of Akmola Region in the northern part of Kazakhstan.

Kokshetau International Airport

Halyqaralyq Kókshetaý Áýejaıy
Apron view of Kokshetau International Airport
Summary
Airport typePublic
OwnerGovernment of Kazakhstan
OperatorAirport Management Group (AMG)
ServesKokshetau and Burabay National Park
Location12.5 km (7.8 mi) NE of Kokshetau, Akmola Region, Kazakhstan
Opened1945 (1945)
Hub forAir Kokshetau (defunct)
Time zoneALMT (UTC+06:00)
Elevation AMSL274 m / 899 ft
Coordinates53°19′48″N 069°35′48″E
Maps

AIP airport diagram as of November 2019
KOV/UACK
Location of the airport in Kazakhstan
KOV/UACK
KOV/UACK (Asia)
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
02/20 2,850 9,350 Concrete/Asphalt
Statistics (2018)
Passengers21,427
Passenger change 17–18 2.7%
Source: AIP Kazakhstan[1]

The airport began its new operational phase on 21 October 2013, with new building and runway structure, replacing old structure on the same site.The airport features one fully reconstructed passenger terminal and one runway, which handles both domestic and international operations.[2] The airport is served year-round by low-cost carrier FlyArystan, SCAT Airlines and on a seasonal basis by IrAero, and was formerly a hub for Air Kokshetau operations which was also headquartered in the city.

The main route is the service to Almaty, operated by both FlyArystan and SCAT Airlines. The airport is managed by Airport Management Group (AMG), a government-owned corporation that manages almost all public airports in Kazakhstan. The facility opened in 1945 (1945) as Kokchetav-Trofimovka Airport and was commonly known as Kokshetau Airport (the airport's current IATA code, KOV, is derived from the city's previous name of Kokchetav).

Location

Kokshetau International Airport is 12.5 km (7.8 mi) north-east of Kokshetau city centre. The airport is approximately 195 kilometres (121 mi) away from Petropavl and 295 kilometres (183 mi) from Nur-Sultan. It is bordered by the village of Kyzyltan to the east, Myrzakolsor lake to the north, Stantsioniy village to the west, and the village of Akkol to the south. It is primarily served by the National Road A13, however it is also accessible via the nearby A1 or A343 motorways.

History

Construction and early operations

The airport was constructed as a replacement for the former Kokshetau Airport that was located to the north of the city as a small grass airfield with a relatively short runway. The facility opened in 1945 (1945) and was formerly known as Kokchetav-Trofimovka Airport, Trofimovka (now Kyzyltan) was the name of the neighbouring village and Kokshetau was known as Kokchetav at the time. It was renamed Kokshetau Airport in 1993; "International" was added to the name in 2013. In 1960, Aeroflot was flying daily Ilyushin Il-12 jet service on a round trip routing of Alma-Ata (now Almaty) – Balkhash – Karaganda – Akmolinsk (now Nur-Sultan) – Kokchetav (now Kokshetau) – Sverdlovsk (now Yekaterinburg).[3]

Also in 1963/4, Aeroflot was operating 761 service on a round trip routing of Karaganda – Tselinograd (now Nur-Sultan) – Kokchetav – Kustanai (now Kostanay) – Chelyabinsk – Sverdlovsk (now Yekaterinburg) with Lisunov Li-2 aircraft. Aeroflot served the airport during the mid 1964s with Ilyushin Il-14 aircraft flying a routing of Sverdlovsk (now Yekaterinburg) – Kurgan – Petropavlovsk (now Petropavl) – Kokchetav – Tselinograd – Karaganda – Alma-Ata. In 1961, Aeroflot had service to Moscow via stops at Petropavlovsk, Kurgan, Sverdlovsk, Kazan flying an Ilyushin Il-14 (with total flight time of about 15 hrs.).[4] In the early 1980s, the airfield was one of the reserve landing sites for the reusable low Earth orbital spacecraft system Buran.

Development since the 2000s

Kokshetau Airport served as a hub for Air Kokshetau from 2002 to 2008. In 2004, Aero Flight, a German airline, was operating international non-stop seasonal service between June and August from Frankfurt (IATA: FRA), Germany to Kokshetau.[5] In 2010, the airport underwent major reconstruction, including reconstruction of the passenger terminal building and modernization of the runway. Renovation and modernization of the airport was completed in 2013. The new passenger terminal opened on October 21, 2013 and was also granted an international status.[6]

The first new airline to start international scheduled flights after the comprehensive reconstruction of the runway and passenger terminal from Kokshetau was Transaero operating Boeing 737-700 jets between Kokshetau and Moscow—Vnukovo (IATA: VKO), Russia.[5] This flight was discontinued for summer 2016 season, as Transaero filed for bankruptcy. In 2017, as a consequence of the collapse of Transaero, S7 Airlines resumed nonstop flights to Moscow and operated a flight between Kokshetau and Moscow—Domodedovo (IATA: DME), Russia, using the Airbus A319-100 narrow body jetliners once a week for summer season.[7] This lasted until September 2018, when S7 Airlines cancelled the flight.[8] In late-May 2019, IrAero resumed summer season service to Moscow and operated a flight to Moscow—Zhukovsky (IATA: ZIA), Russia on the Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft [9] On 12 March 2020, FlyArystan launched 3 weekly flights to its hub at Almaty using Airbus A320-200 aircraft.[10]

Facilities

The airport was the primary hub of Air Kokshetau. It has one passenger terminal. In 2018, it served 21,427 passengers, a decrease of 2.7% compared to 2017, making it the seventeenth-busiest airport in Kazakhstan. The busiest single destination in passenger numbers is Almaty.

Runway

The airport resides at an elevation of 270 m (886 ft) above mean sea level. The airport has a single active runway in use designated 02/20 with an asphalt/concrete surface measuring 2,850 m × 45 m (9,350 ft × 148 ft). The airport is equipped with a Category I (both directions) Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach to guide landing aircraft safely under very poor weather conditions and also allowing planes to land in low visibility conditions, such as fog. The airport is able to accommodate jets the size of the Il-76, Boeing 747. It can also accept light aircraft and helicopters of all types. However, smaller jets like the Airbus A319-100, Airbus A320-200, Boeing 737-500 and CRJ-200 are more commonly seen there.[2]

Runway at Kokshetau International Airport
Direction Length Width Surface Operational Years Last Major Improvement Usage ILS Notes
02/209,350 ft
2,850 m		149 ft
45 m		Concrete/Asphalt
1945 - Current
2013
Primary runwayCat. I (both directions)The new extended runway is 2,850 metres long, with supporting taxiway systems. The runway is dedicated for arrivals and departures.

Terminal
Passenger terminal
International Passenger Terminal
Opened 1945 (1945)
Floor area 8,551.6 square metres (92,049 sq ft)
Handling capacity 200 passengers per hour
Parking bays 2 (aerobridge)
6 (remote)
VIP/CIP
Opened October 21, 2013 (2013-10-21)
Handling capacity N/A
Parking bays N/A

The airport features a single, two-storey passenger terminal building that accommodates both domestic and international operations. The main passenger terminal building was built in 1945 (1945) and has been expanded as well as upgraded to modern standards by undergoing comprehensive renovation since its original construction. The renovation project's implementation has been started in 2010. The opening ceremony of the upgraded passenger terminal took place on October 21, 2013 (2013-10-21), with an area measuring 8,552 square metres (92,050 sq ft).

The airport's old and new renovated passenger terminal building was designed by RDSI “KazAeroProject”, a Kazakh research, design and survey institute which also designed Almaty International Airport.[11] The passenger terminal has a capacity of 200 passengers per hour and is equipped with a gallery landing with two gates to air-bridges and six gates to apron buses, 1 escalator and 1 lift.[2]

The first international commercial flight to depart at the new passenger terminal was UN224 to Moscow, Russia at 08:00 am (UTC+6), December 14, 2013, operated by the Russian carrier Transaero.[5] The airport has a VIP area, where travellers for a fee can go through a dedicated security check, wait in the VIP lounge and be transported by car to the aircraft, avoiding mix with non VIP paying passengers. There is Wi-Fi internet access all over the terminal including CIP and VIP zones.

VIP flights and services

Kokshetau International Airport, as the main airport serving Kokshetau, is also used by VIP-flights using business jets. Government officials are frequent visitors.[12] In October 2015, the President of Russia Vladimir Putin visited Kokshetau International Airport with a couple of large jet airplanes. The then-Prime Minister of Vietnam Nguyễn Tấn Dũng has also visited Kokshetau with his Boeing 777.[12] CIS-meetings and exhibitions in the Burabay area also bring special flights to the airport.

Expansion and renovation

In 2010, the airport underwent major reconstruction, including reconstruction of the passenger terminal building and modernization of the runway. The Kazakhstani Government approved major renovation and refurbishment works to the air-terminal complex as well as a runway expansion project worth 8.3 billion tenge (US$56,290,000). The project saw the runway extended from 2,537 m (8,323 ft) to 2,850 m (9,350 ft) and the size of the main terminal increased to 8,552 m2 (92,050 sq ft). It has 2 jetways for passenger use. The first test flight and landing in the airport took place on December 11, 2011.[13] In 2013, the airport was granted an international status.[6] As a result of this expansion, the airport is capable of handling wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing 767-300 and Boeing 777-300 with no restrictions. However, generally, flights operating into and out of Kokshetau are serviced by narrow-body aircraft.

Airlines and destinations

Overview

Today the airport is mainly served by subsidized inter-republican air flights operated by SCAT Airlines with CRJ-200 regional jet aircraft flying non-stop[14]
1. Aktau – Kokshetau – Aktau
2. Almaty – Kokshetau – Almaty

FlyArystan operates three weekly flights to Almaty using Airbus A320-200 aircraft. IrAero flies once per week during the summer season to Moscow.

Passenger

The following airlines operate regular scheduled services to and from Kokshetau:[15]

AirlinesDestinations
FlyArystan Almaty
IrAero Seasonal: Moscow–Zhukovsky
SCAT Airlines Aktau, Almaty

Historic airlines and destinations include:

In the past, the airport has been served by Aero Flight, Aeroflot Soviet Airlines, Asia Wings, Air Kokshetau (also known as Kokshetau Airlines), Semeyavia (also known as SA Regional Airlines), S7 Airlines, and Transaero.

Statistics
Kokshetau Airport passenger totals 2012–2018 (thousands)

Kokshetau Airport is used by 3 airlines flying to 3 destinations in 2 countries.

Annual traffic

Due to the low passenger capacity in the region, the airport could not be continuously operated at a profit.

In 2018, it served 21,427 passengers, a decrease of 2.3% compared to 2017, making it the seventeenth-busiest airport in Kazakhstan.

Annual passenger traffic:
Year
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
Passengers handled a
2 353
7 401
3 064
17 497
14 213
22 016
21 427
Passengers handled % change
010.1 %
0214.5 %
058.6 %
0471.1 %
018.8 %
015.6 %
02.7 %
Place in Kazakhstan
19
19
19
17
17
17
17
Sources: [16]

Ground transportation

Along with being an alternative option to Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport, Kokshetau Airport is convenient for the resorts such as Burabay and Zerenda. Kokshetau International Airport is located in the north-east part of Kokshetau, approximately 12.5 km (7.8 mi) from the city centre. There is no direct rail link to Kokshetau city centre, and the public transport options to the city are taxis, buses and private transport.

Bus

No. 18 municipal bus line connects the airport with the city centre of Kokshetau. Service is available from 06:00 to 22:00 and run from the airport (just outside the airport) to the city center and vice versa with intermediate stops in between. The single fare is 150.

Ground public transportation
Route Route Description Interval Stops[17] Service Notes
No. 18 Abay St., Auelbekov St., Gorky St., Road A-343, Road A-13 30-70 minutes Railway Station, Privokzal'naya, Mira, Alatau, Central Market, Burabay, Radiozavod, Yubileynyy, Zvonochek, Vasil'kovskiy, Airport

* No late night service

Car and taxi

The airport is located on the () National Road A13, about 20 kilometers (12 mi) from the city center and about 20 minutes drive, depending on traffic. There is extensive car and motorcycle parking space available. Taxis are also available directly outside the terminal building at the airport parking lot ( Yandex.Taxi and inDriver). Many taxi companies offer a flat-rate for to/from Airport trips (the rate is usually 1,500), booked via mobile app.

Accidents and incidents
gollark: But *why* do people think lemons are faster than potatoes? The color?
gollark: There's that neat oracle thing which predicts your next choice of two options in a ridiculously simple way.
gollark: * 158 responses
gollark: People are apparently *really awful* at random numbers, and in the 200ish responses there is a significant peak around 7 somehow.
gollark: This actually reminds me of my friend's ongoing thing where they put "DM me a random integer between 0 and 10" in their Discord status, and collated the responses.

See also

Notes

^a Number of passengers including domestic and international.

References
  1. AIP Kazakhstan Archived 2013-06-16 at Archive.today
  2. "Kokshetau airport will accept Airbus and Embraer after reconstruction". Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  3. "1960: AEROFLOT ROUTE NETWORK". Retrieved 2020-06-19.
  4. "1963/64: AEROFLOT Route Network". Retrieved 2020-06-19.
  5. "Transaero Boosts Flights Between Russia and Kazakhstan". Retrieved 27 November 2019.
  6. "Аэропорт Кокшетау стал международным".
  7. "S7 Airlines S17 new routes as of 06MAR17". Retrieved 27 November 2019.
  8. "S7 Airlines S19 Regional / International service changes as of 04JAN19". Retrieved 27 November 2019.
  9. "IrAero adds Kazakhstan routes from Moscow Zhukovsky from late-May 2019". Retrieved 27 November 2019.
  10. "FlyArystan запускает рейс из Алматы в Кокшетау, самый дешёвый билет стоит 8 999 тенге". Infromburo. 12 February 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  11. "Cases". Retrieved 16 December 2019.
  12. "Аэродром Кокшетау впервые принял широкофюзеляжный Boeing-777".
  13. "В Кокшетау сдали в эксплуатацию взлетно-посадочную полосу аэродрома".
  14. "KOKSHETAU AIRPORT TO RESUME INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS". Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  15. "Kokshetau International Airport Flight Schedule". Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  16. http://www.kase.kz/files/emitters/ARAL/aralp_2018_rus.pdf Количество обслуженных пассажиров в аэропортах Республики Казахстан за 2017-2018 гг.стр 39
  17. No. 18 bus to Kokshetau: route and stops - 2GIS
  18. "Crash of a PZL-Mielec An-2 near Burabay: 15 killed". Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  19. "Passenger plane crashes near Kazakh city of Almaty". Retrieved 24 April 2020.
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