Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport

Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport (IATA: NQZ, ICAO: UACC), known as "Halyqaralyq Nūrsūltan Nazarbaev Äuejaiy" in Kazakh, is a notable international airport located in the Akmola Region of Kazakhstan. It serves as the primary international gateway to Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. In the past, the airport was known as Astana International Airport, but it was officially renamed in honor of the first President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev.

Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport is the second-busiest international airport for passenger traffic in Central Asia, following Almaty International Airport. In 2022, it saw approximately 6,000,000 passengers pass through its terminals. The airport is situated 16.7 kilometers (10.4 miles) southeast of the city center in the Yesil administrative subdivision of Astana.

The airport boasts two passenger terminals, one runway, and facilities for cargo handling and maintenance. Terminal 2, designed by the late Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa, is a prominent feature of the airport. It serves as the main hub for Kazakhstan's national carrier, Air Astana, and is also a major operating base for SCAT Airlines, Qazaq Air, and the low-cost carrier FlyArystan. In the past, it served as a hub for Starlines Kazakhstan and Tselinograd OAO.

Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport has a rich history, having opened its doors in 1931 as Akmolinsk Airport. It underwent several name changes as the city transformed, evolving from Tselinograd Airport to Astana International Airport. In 2020, a government decree officially changed its three-character IATA airport code from TSE to NQZ.

In recognition of its excellence, the airport received the honor of being named the 'Best Regional Airport in Central Asia and CIS' at the Skytrax World Airport Awards in 2022.

Terminals

Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport consists of two main terminals:

T1 – International Terminal:
The new international terminal, identified as "T1," commenced operations in June 2017. This state-of-the-art facility was developed to meet the needs of the growing international travel demand. The terminal expansion involved the addition of 5–6 new departure gates, complementing the existing ones in the pre-existing terminal building. Covering an impressive 47,000 square meters, this terminal was completed just in time for the EXPO 2017 event and assumed the role of the International Terminal (T1).

Notable features of the T1 International Terminal include the introduction of 6 new aircraft parking lots equipped with landing sleeves and 4 bus landing routes to enhance the airport's infrastructure. Moreover, it incorporates a range of cutting-edge technologies and processes designed to elevate the quality of services offered to passengers. The terminal also boasts a spacious public catering area spanning 1000 square meters, and retail outlets occupying 1,300 square meters, providing a diverse array of shopping and dining options for travelers.

T2 – Domestic Terminal:
The Domestic Terminal, referred to as "T2," was designed by the renowned late Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa. With the inauguration of the new international terminal (T1), the old terminal (T2) was repurposed to exclusively handle domestic flight departures and arrivals. T2 was the original and sole terminal when the airport underwent reconstruction in 2005.

On February 2, 2005, the grand opening of the T2 passenger terminal took place. This terminal encompasses a vast area exceeding 25,000 square meters and is equipped with 24 check-in counters and 2 luggage straps to efficiently manage domestic flights. The airport's architectural design harmoniously fuses both eastern and western traditions, resulting in a unique and aesthetically pleasing structure. The building spans five floors and offers a range of passenger amenities, including panoramic elevators, escalators, aerobridges, lounges, and an automated check-in system. Additionally, the terminal houses airport shops, restaurants, cafes, a pharmacy, a call center, Wi-Fi connectivity, and various other facilities to cater to the needs of travelers.

Passenger