Strong December improved Kyrgyz airports operations

Kyrgyz airports served 1.4% passengers more in 2016 than the year before (Photo by Manas International Airport)

Manas International Airport Holding that manages five international and six regional airports in Kyrgyzstan, increased its total traffic by 1.4% in 2016 serving 3.083 million passengers, the company reported. The annual increase became possible due to a relatively strong December traffic. January-November results showed the number of passengers served by Kyrgyz airports was by 0.6% less than in 2015.

Annual international traffic reached 2.073 million passengers (2.6% more than in 2015). Domestic passengers served by Manas International Airport holding decreased by 1% to 1.009 million people.

The total number of flights served by the Kyrgyz airports grew by 0.4% last year reaching 28.628 thousand inbound and outbound operations.

The largest number of passengers was traditionally registered in Manas airport. The airport of the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek served more than a half of the holding’s total traffic – 1.834 million passengers.

The second largest was Osh airport that served 1.030 million passengers. Batken airport traffic reached 22.4 thousand passengers in 2016, Issyk-Kul airport – 9.1 thousand passengers, Jalal-Abad airport – 5.7 thousand passengers, Isfana, Naryn and Karakol airports served 797, 162 and 91 passengers respectively.

Despite that Manas International Airport Holding traffic grew insignificantly, the growth persists. 2015 results showed the total number of Kyrgyz airports grow by 2.4%, to 3.04 million passengers.

Manas International Airport Holding operational income as of 2016 is expected to reach 2 billion som ($30 million). The holding works to develop the infrastructure of its subsidiary airports which are reconstructed using its own funds and external borrowings.