Almaty Airport

Almaty International Airport (ALA), founded in 1935, is Kazakhstan’s busiest gateway and the main air hub for southern Kazakhstan, handling domestic and international flights from two main passenger terminals (plus cargo facilities). Located roughly 15–20 km southeast of central Almaty and set against the Trans-Ili Alatau foothills, the airport is well connected by airport buses, regular taxis and ride‑hailing services with straightforward road links to the city and surrounding regions; there is currently no direct metro link. Home base for Air Astana and a key base for SCAT Airlines, ALA tends to offer competitively priced regional fares and budget options, though international connections can be pricier.