ASTANA – Central Asia has emerged as a critical aviation corridor as geopolitical tensions reshape global air routes, with the number of flights overflying the region doubling since conflicts disrupted traditional Middle Eastern and Ukrainian airspace.
Speaking at the Central Asia Aviation Summit in Astana on April 15, Rizwan Siddiqui, country manager for Central Asia at the International Air Transport Association (IATA), outlined the dramatic shift in traffic patterns. "Before these geopolitical conflicts, we were talking about 600 to 800 flights overflying Central Asian skies, which has now doubled. It is now going to 1,200 to 1,500 flights per day," he said.
Transit Corridor Surge
More than 200 industry experts gathered in the Kazakh capital for the summit to examine both the opportunities and pressures confronting the region's aviation sector. The increase in transit traffic positions Central Asia—and Kazakhstan in particular—as an increasingly strategic link between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Operating Cost Pressures
The jump in overflight traffic comes against a backdrop of mounting financial strain on carriers worldwide. Siddiqui highlighted that jet fuel prices have become highly volatile, particularly over the past 45 days. "Every day they are changing, making a big impact on the airlines. And it is not only about the price. The availability of jet fuel is a major issue right now. Especially the airlines in Asia and Europe are under big pressure. All of them are trying to optimize the schedule," he said.
Fuel costs, which traditionally accounted for 13 to 15 percent of airline operating expenses, have in some cases climbed to nearly 30 percent—roughly doubling the cost burden for carriers.
Supply chain disruptions are compounding these pressures. Siddiqui noted that aircraft deliveries are delayed by an estimated 15,000 units or more, creating a significant constraint on fleet expansion and operational capacity.
Despite these headwinds, demand for air travel remains resilient. According to IATA data, total demand in February 2026 was up 6.1 percent compared to February 2025. The organization's Long-Term Demand Projections released in March forecast global air passenger demand to more than double by 2050, suggesting sustained growth potential for regions positioned to capture transit and destination traffic.