Aircraft ranked eighth among Kazakhstan's top 10 export products, despite the country lacking a full-fledged aviation industry. The Kursiv Research portal published an article examining the reasons why airplanes have become one of Kazakhstan’s largest export goods, even though the country is primarily known on global markets as a supplier of oil, uranium, and metals.
How Many Airplanes Did Kazakhstan Export in 2024?
According to customs statistics, Kazakhstan exported 20 aircraft in 2024. The country sent:
- One aircraft each to Georgia, Jordan, and Switzerland
- Five aircraft to Turkey
- Twelve aircraft to Ireland
The total value of the exported aircraft reached $887 million, making them the eighth-largest export commodity in Kazakhstan's foreign trade.
By aircraft type, Kazakhstan exported:
- 19 airliners (worth $796 million) with a capacity of 50 to 300 passengers
- One aircraft (worth $91 million) with a capacity of less than 50 passengers
These are narrow-body, medium-haul aircraft, a category dominated by leading manufacturers such as Airbus (Europe), Boeing (USA), Bombardier (Canada), and Embraer (Brazil).
Why Is Kazakhstan Exporting Airplanes?
Kazakhstan has not yet mastered the production of such high-tech products as medium-haul passenger aircraft. The country remains a net importer of airliners. So why has it suddenly become an active supplier of airplanes to foreign markets?
Where Does Kazakhstan Export Aircraft?
It is unlikely that this is re-export on behalf of Russian companies. Over the past decade (excluding 2024), customs statistics recorded anomalously high aircraft exports three times—all of them before 2022, when Western nations tightened sanctions against Russia.
- 2015: 6 aircraft exported for $105 million
- 2019: 11 aircraft exported for $291 million
- 2020: 13 aircraft exported for $336 million
This phenomenon is linked to complex aircraft leasing schemes. Leaseholders often register aircraft in different jurisdictions to optimize taxes or simplify maintenance procedures. Even Air Astana, Kazakhstan's largest airline, like any other carrier, uses leasing contracts to optimize business operations.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
February 28, 2025