Balkanabat International Airport — A New Milestone in the Development of Turkmenistan’s Transport Infrastructure
2025-05-02
In the era of the Revival of the New Epoch of the Powerful State, Turkmenistan continues to strengthen its position as a key continental transport and logistics hub. A major achievement in this direction was the grand opening of the Balkanabat International Airport, held on May 2 with the participation of the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov.
The new Balkanabat International Airport, located 20 kilometers northwest of the city of Balkanabat and just 4 kilometers from the Mollakara sanatorium, is a modern aviation complex built in full compliance with international standards and requirements.
Covering an area of 275 hectares, the airport features passenger and cargo terminals with a throughput capacity of up to 100 passengers per hour, an air traffic control tower with a height of 35 meters, buildings for rescue and firefighting services, as well as other technical facilities. Its 3,200-meter runway, taxiway system, and parking stands designed to accommodate 6 airplanes and 4 helicopters, allow the airport to receive almost all types of aircraft.
During the grand opening ceremony, representatives of leading international aviation organizations delivered speeches, unanimously confirming the highest quality of the newly built facility. Speaking via live video link, Nicolas Rallo, Director of the European and North Atlantic Office of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), announced the issuance of a certificate officially registering the Balkanabat International Airport with ICAO and recognizing it at the global level.
Dmitry Kosolapov, Deputy Director for Infrastructure of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), also noted the high quality of the construction, reporting the issuance of a certificate confirming the airport's full compliance with IATA standards.
A representative of Munich International Airport highlighted the airport's compliance with advanced international standards, which was confirmed by the relevant certificate. A representative of the consulting company Al-Hatmi Consulting testified to the flawless compliance of the airport’s construction with the most stringent international requirements.
Such high international recognition was made possible by the use of advanced technologies and innovative solutions in the airport’s construction. The runway has already passed successful testing, confirming the high quality of construction and compliance with global safety standards.
Balkanabat International Airport is a logical continuation of the large-scale modernization of transport infrastructure, carried out under the wise leadership of the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and in accordance with the far-sighted initiatives of the National Leader of the Turkmen People, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
The new airport will serve as an important link in regional and interregional transportation networks, complementing the previously commissioned international airports in Ashgabat, Turkmenbashy, Turkmenabat, and Kerki.
Thanks to its convenient location at the intersection of the M37 highway and R-17 road, which leads to the Cheleken Peninsula, the airport will play a key role in the socio-economic development of Balkan velayat. It is especially worth noting that the new aviation hub will provide a high level of service to passengers traveling to the Mollakara sanatorium for rest and health improvement, which significantly contributes to the development of health tourism in the region.
The implementation of the Balkanabat International Airport project holds strategic importance in strengthening Turkmenistan’s position as a major regional and continental transport and logistics center. It will further integrate the country into the global economy and create favorable conditions for the development of international trade and tourism.
Balkanabat International Airport is not just a modern aviation complex — it is a symbol of Turkmenistan’s progress and development, embodying the country’s aspiration for integration into the global economic space and the creation of favorable conditions for sustainable development across all regions.
