OAG Travel News

I’ve always been fascinated with Central Asia.  I once had a trip planned to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan and, for reasons beyond my control, I was not able to make the journey.  Afghanistan and Pakistan are frequently in the headlines, and this region is a true crossroads between east and west, north and south.

In total, the seven –Stan countries account for nearly 800 daily flights.  Each country has its own national carrier that, in most cases, provides the majority of air service.  A brief profile of the air service in each –Stan is provided below.

Pakistan
Pakistan accounts for 40 percent of all –Stan air service.  Pakistan ranks first in several categories, including the most commercial service airports (25), the most daily flights (308).  Nearly three-quarters of Pakistan’s air service is on flag-carrier Pakistan International Airlines.  Pakistan is one of only two –Stans not to have the majority of its flights come from its capital city.  Air service in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad ranks second to the service in Pakistan’s largest city, Karachi.

Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan ranks second to Pakistan in terms of total flights and accounts for nearly 25 percent of total –Stan air service.  Kazakhstan also ranks second in terms of number of commercial service airports with 15.  Kazakhstan does claim first place in number of airlines – 31 carriers provide service to, from and within Kazakhstan.  The largest carrier, accounting for 70 percent of total flights, is Air Astana, the national carrier of Kazakhstan.  Like Pakistan, Kazakhstan’s capital city of Astana (served by Astana International Airport) has less air service than the commercial center of Almaty (served by Almaty International Airport).

Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan ranks third behind Pakistan and Kazakhstan in terms of number of flights as well as airports.  Over 115 flights operate on average to, from and within Uzbekistan’s 12 commercial service airports.  Twenty-three airlines provide these services, with over 80 percent of service offered on flag-carrier Uzbekistan Airways.

Afghanistan
Kabul International Airport accounts for nearly two-thirds of Afghanistan’s 60 daily flights.  National carrier Airiana Afghan Airways ranks second behind privately held Pamir Airways in terms of number of flights.  Over sixty percent of Afghanistan’s flights are domestic, connecting the country’s seven airports. 

Kyrgyzstan
Of all the –Stans, Kyrgyzstan has the highest percentage of domestic air service – 70 percent of the country’s flights are between the only two Kyrgyz airports with scheduled commercial flights – Manas International Airport in the capital of Bishkek, and Osh Airport in Osh.  Unlike most of the other –Stans, the national carrier of Kyrgyzstan does not have the highest market share.  In this case, Kyrgyzstan Air ranks third to Asia Alpha Airways and ADC Airlines.

Tajikistan
Tajikistan’s air service is concentrated in three airports, with the capital of Dushanbe (served by Dushanbe Airport) accounting for over 70 percent of the country’s flights.  Tajikistan does not have any domestic air service – all of its service is international.  Forty percent of Tajikistan’s service is provided on national carrier Tajikistan Airlines.
 
Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan is unique in that is the only -Stan with just one commercial service airport.  Located in the capital, Ashgabat Airport – also known as Saparmurat Turkmenbashy International Airport after the former President of Turkmenistan – handles an average of 16 daily flights.  Seven airlines provide service at Ashgabat Airport, with 60 percent of the flights on flag-carrier Turkmenistan Airlines.

Source: Official Airline Guide (OAG) Schedule Tapes for July 2009, unless otherwise noted; data for scheduled commercial flights only; Air Transport Intelligence.