Direct flights, roads construction, and Urban Air Mobility concept: What Kazakh and Korean transport ministers discussed in Seoul

The issues were discussed at a meeting between Minister of Transport of Kazakhstan Marat Karabayev and Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) of South Korea Park Sang-woo in Seoul.

The sides also debated the possibility of increasing the number of direct flights from Kazakhstan to South Korea. Presently, the countries operate 14 passenger and six cargo flights per week, mainly from Astana and Almaty. The sides agreed to launch direct flights from Shymkent to South Korea.

The Korean side expressed interest in implementation of road construction projects in Kazakhstan. It should be reminded that South Korean companies Dongsung Engineering and ISAN Corporation are monitoring the quality of Almaty-Astana highway construction.

Marat Karabayev invited South Korean delegation led by Park Sang-woo to visit Kazakhstan at any convenient time. It is expected that during the return visit the parties will exchange experience in the implementation of Urban Air Mobility (UAM) concept. 

The idea of implementing the UAM concept aims at creating a safe and an efficient air transport system and other aviation technologies. This will let revolutionize the way of movement of people and goods/products between major cities and regions by air, as well as within cities.

The concept will be tested first in the new Alatau City. The project will support the development of Alatau City as an innovation hub and will attract Kazakh and Korean investors. As part of the concept implementation, cooperation with the leading South Korean companies such as Hyundai Motor Group is planned.

At the end of the meeting, Kazakh, Korean ministers expressed their readiness to further deepen cooperation in transport logistics and interaction, which will help strengthen the two countries’ strategic partnership.