This morning entered the history of the Kostanay region and the country as a whole. For the first time in many years, direct air communication with Arkalyk officially resumed. The inaugural flight departed from Astana at 09:00 and landed on Arkalyk soil at 09:40. A journey that used to take long hours now takes just 40 minutes. Furthermore, regular flights now connect the city not only to the capital, but also to Almaty and Kostanay, fully meeting the region's transport needs.
A festive atmosphere prevailed at the airports — passengers boarded the plane with genuine enthusiasm, and the emotions of those greeting them were running high. A true highlight of the first flight was a vibrant musical performance by artists from the Youth Musical Theater, who performed in Astana, directly onboard the aircraft, and in Arkalyk itself. Passengers were greeted with traditional shashu, music, and heartfelt songs. A special symbol of the celebration was the performance of the legendary song "Arkalyqtyn Aq Tany" (Arkalyk's White Dawn) by Shamshi Kaldayakov and Mukhtar Shakhanov, written following their trip to the Torgay region in the 1970s.
“To be honest, tears come to my eyes. We waited so many years for this day! Now everything will be very good for us — thank you to the President! The city is coming back to life; there is hope and confidence that we haven't been forgotten,” shared a resident of Arkalyk.
The resumption of flights is a direct fulfillment of the directive by Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on the comprehensive development of the Torgay region. The region's main air gateway thoroughly prepared to receive the airliners.
“The new airport has received all necessary certificates for aviation security, air navigation services, and aerodrome fitness. It is fully ready to handle regional aircraft of the CRJ200 type. Based on the tender results, SCAT Airlines became the carrier,” reported Talgat Lastaev, Vice Minister of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Summing up the work accomplished, the region's leadership emphasized the systematic nature of the ongoing changes.
“The revival of Arkalyk Airport and the launch of direct flights represent the practical implementation of the President’s directives. The Head of State pays special attention to single-industry towns. As part of this work, a new passenger terminal was built, along with all necessary infrastructure,” noted Berik Tanjarikov, Deputy Governor of the Kostanay region.
The opening of the airport marks an important milestone in the comprehensive renewal of Arkalyk. Previously, the city's railway station was reconstructed, and construction continues today on the strategic "Center – West" highway. Concurrently, social facilities are being restored, utility networks are being modernized, roads are being repaired, and public spaces are being landscaped.
The main victory of these large-scale changes is the shift in public sentiment and the faith of young people in their native land.
“I was seriously planning to leave the city. But when I saw how Arkalyk is developing — roads are being repaired, facilities restored, and on top of that, flights returned to Astana, Almaty, and Kostanay... I realized that I'm staying. Now the city has a future, and I want to live and work here. Justice has prevailed thanks to the President,” admitted one of the young passengers on the first flight.
The inaugural flight and the large-scale infrastructure renewal proved a fundamental fact: thanks to the attention of the President and the state, Arkalyk is confidently entering a new era of its development.
