BISHKEK (24.kg) – The head of the Directorate for Infrastructure Development of Manas International Airport OJSC Abdimalik Busurmankulov announced today at a press conference that airports of Talas and of Naryn are prepared to be opened for regular flights..

“Unfortunately, at present, regular flights are not being operated to Talas and Naryn, but our airports are ready. If the airlines express a desire to perform regular flights on these routes, we are ready to invest there and to open the hubs. We keep the necessary staff and maintain all infrastructure facilities”, Busurmankulov said.

“In total, we manage 11 airports, including Manas, Osh, Issyk-Kul, Karakol, Batken, Isfana, Jalal-Abad, Kerben, Talas, Naryn and Kazarman. Flights to Jalal-Abad, Batken, Isfana, Osh, Manas Airport are operated regularly. Issyk-Kul airport hosts regular flights during the summer tourist season; Karakol accommodates charter flights during the tourist season. There are also charter flights to other airports if there are orders”, he noted.

Naryn Airport started its operations in 1930s as a landing strip in Salkyn-Tör village in the outskirts of Naryn. The current runway and terminal were built in 1964. It is a regional class 3C airport. The runway 08/26 has a weight limit of 22 tonnes, and has no instrument landing facilities and operates only during daylight hours.

Naryn Airport has no customs and border control checks and serves only flights within Kyrgyzstan. Before the collapse of the Soviet Union, the airport played an important role in this mountainous region. Up until 2000, the airport had year-round links with Jalal-Abad, Kazarman, Osh and Bishkek. On July 16, 2013, Sky Bishkek resumed flights to Naryn from Bishkek on Tuesdays.

The Aga Khan Development Network began reconstructing Naryn Airport in April 2012. The reconstruction includes extending the runway, installing new aero navigational equipment and repairing the terminal building. Following the completion of the reconstruction, the Kyrgyz Government plans to rename the airport to Naryn International Airport and allow international flights.

Talas Airport started its operations in 1940s as a landing strip outside the then small provincial town. The current runway and terminal were built in 1979. It is a regional class 3C airport. The runway has a weight limit of 22 tonnes, and has no instrument landing facilities and operates only during daylight hours.

Talas Airport has no customs and border control checks and serves only flights within Kyrgyzstan. Until 1997, Talas had year-round regular links with Bishkek, Osh and Jalal-Abad.