China–Europe Flights May Operate via Pavlodar – Governor Shares New Details

Today, Pavlodar Region Governor Asaiyn Baykhanov stated at a briefing held by the Central Communications Service that the region’s airport is being expanded to accommodate large aircraft.

“Planes such as Airbus 320, 321, and Boeing 737, 747 can land on a 60-meter-wide runway. The 2.5 km long runway creates favorable conditions for large aircraft,” said the regional head.

According to the governor, aviation kerosene in Pavlodar Region is 5–7% cheaper compared to other regions, as 32% of kerosene is produced and supplied locally. Therefore, aircraft flying from China to Europe could stop here to refuel. He noted that refueling 100–200 tons of fuel could save a significant amount of money.

The regional administration is negotiating with other countries, but as the airport has not yet opened, no concrete agreements have been signed. The initial routes being considered include flights from Pavlodar to Shymkent, Aktau, Almaty, Astana, and Novosibirsk in Russia.