This morning marked a historic moment for the Kostanay Region: direct air service to the city of Arkalyk has officially resumed for the first time in many years. The first regular flight from Astana, which now takes just 40 minutes instead of many hours by other forms of transport, successfully landed at the local airport, Tiek.kz reports.
A Celebration on Board and a Long-Awaited Return
The resumption of flights generated huge excitement. Arkalyk is now connected by direct flights not only with the capital, but also with Almaty and Kostanay.
The arrival of the first aircraft was marked by a festive atmosphere:
- Passengers were welcomed with the traditional shashu ceremony.
- Performers from the Young Spectator’s Musical Theatre of Astana performed both on board the aircraft and at the airport.
- A special symbol of the historic day was a performance of the legendary song “Arkalyqtyn Aq Tany” (“The White Dawn of Arkalyk”), written by Shamshi Kaldayakov and Mukhtar Shakhanov.
“Honestly, I feel like crying. We have waited for this day for so many years! Now everything will be much better for us. Thank you to the President! The city is coming back to life, and there is hope and confidence that we have not been forgotten,” one local resident said emotionally.
Infrastructure Readiness and Comprehensive Development
The resumption of air service follows the Head of State’s instructions on the comprehensive development of the Torgai region.
According to Talgat Lastayev, Vice Minister of Transport of Kazakhstan, the airport has completed all certification procedures and is fully prepared to receive CRJ200 aircraft. The flights will be operated by SCAT Airlines.
Berik Tanzharikov, Deputy Akim of the Kostanay Region, emphasised that the President pays particular attention to the development of single-industry towns. As part of these efforts, a new passenger terminal has been built in Arkalyk.
The airport reopening is just one part of broader changes:
- The railway station has been reconstructed.
- Construction of the strategic Centre–West highway is actively underway.
- Utility networks are being upgraded, roads are being repaired and public spaces are being improved.
The main result of these infrastructure changes is a renewed sense of confidence among young people in the future of their native region.
“I was seriously planning to leave the city. But when I saw how Arkalyk was developing — roads are being repaired, facilities are being restored, and now air service has returned as well… I realised that I’m staying. Justice has prevailed thanks to the President,” one of the young passengers on the first flight said.
