Bishkek, 7 September 2024 (TDI): Manas International Airport Open Joint Stock Company, the operator of all airports in Kyrgyzstan, has received its first Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 aircraft for its new Asman Airlines.
The Canadian-made short-haul aircraft can carry up to 80 passengers over a distance of 2,000 kilometers.
A second Q400 is expected to arrive soon.
The purchase reflects Kyrgyzstan’s growing passenger traffic, which rose to 5.609 million passengers in 2023, up 41% from 3.98 million in 2021.
The company has also reconstructed several regional airports, facilitating new domestic routes, and is considering constructing a new international airport in the Jalal-Abad region.
Kyrgyzstan- Canada Relations
Kyrgyzstan and Canada established diplomatic relations in 1992, shortly after Kyrgyzstan gained independence following the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
The two countries share a cooperative relationship, with Canada primarily engaging with Kyrgyzstan through development assistance, trade, and investment, especially in the mining sector.
Canadian companies, such as Centerra Gold, have been significant investors in Kyrgyzstan, particularly in gold mining projects like the Kumtor mine.
Read Also: Kyrgyzstan Launches Direct Flights to Tashkent
Canada has also supported Kyrgyzstan’s development through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives, focusing on projects that promote democracy, human rights, gender equality, and economic development.
Additionally, the two countries cooperate in multilateral forums such as the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
In recent years, Kyrgyzstan has shown interest in expanding its economic ties with Canada beyond the mining sector, including aviation, as demonstrated by the purchase of Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 aircraft for Asman Airlines.
Despite occasional tensions over mining operations, both countries continue to work on strengthening bilateral relations through diplomatic engagement and economic cooperation.
