1919
A pilot Alexander Sharov landed a Conbur biplane in the area behind the Small Stanitsa. It was the first airplane in the sky over Almaty.
1930
Almaty Airport was opened with a single gravel runway on the site of a former hippodrome.
1936-1947
An airport was built on Maylin Street. The airport opened air connections between several cities in Kazakhstan and Russia.
1950
Civil aviation is developing steadily, with the expansion of regular flight routes. Almaty Airport hosts a fleet of around 20 aircraft, comprising both passenger and cargo planes.
1957
Due to increased traffic, the airport building is reconstructed and expanded.
1960
Almaty Airport starts receiving TU-114 and IL-62 aircrafts, leading to the extension and modification of the runway. Shortly thereafter, TU-134S also made its landing at the airport.
1970
The airport requires further expansion. A new terminal is constructed, and the old building is designated as the First Terminal of the airport.
1975
The building of the First Terminal is again redesigned and renovated. However, the surrounding landscape remains intact, preserving the continuity of Almaty’s urban landscape.
1980
Air travel becomes routine. The airport serves as a departure point for travel to cities across almost all Soviet republics.
2000
After the 1999 fire, the newly rebuilt terminal resumed operations. Major international airlines began operating at Almaty Airport, contributing to a significant increase in transit passenger traffic. The First Terminal also underwent major renovations.
2021
A new terminal is under construction, and discussions are underway regarding the preservation and relocation of the First Terminal of Almaty Airport. Experts were engaged in the process, and several public hearings were conducted.
2024
On June 1, the new International Terminal was put into operation. On November 21, the 10 millionth passenger was welcomed. On December 3, the airport’s Cargo Terminal reached 100,000 tons
2025
On April 9, Airport Receives two prestigious awards at the World Airport Awards as the World’s Best New Terminal for T2 and Best Regional Airport in Central Asia & CIS.
