Manas Airport. Photo via 24.kg
A 40,000-square-meter cargo terminal is planned at Manas International Airport near Bishkek to handle freight transit from China to Europe and the Middle East, Kabar news agency reported, citing Manasbek Samidinov, Board Chairman of Kyrgyz Airports OJSC.
The terminal's construction will be financed using the company's internal funds. The complex will feature Class A and Class B bonded warehouses that comply with international logistics standards.
According to Samidinov, the project provides for specialized facilities to store hazardous materials, pharmaceuticals, perishable foodstuffs, and plants. Plans also include equipping laboratories and cleanrooms for specific categories of cargo.
Under the proposed arrangement, goods from China will arrive in Kyrgyzstan by road. Once processed at the airport's warehouses, consignments will be consolidated for onward shipment to Europe and the Middle East, primarily by air. The model is expected to reduce overall logistics costs.
Samidinov noted that the initiative has already attracted interest from Chinese partners and major international freight operators. Representatives of Kyrgyz Airports plan to visit China to inspect cargo operations at the country's leading air hubs.
The project's estimated budget, construction timeline, and projected handling volumes have not yet been announced.
The concept of turning Manas into an international logistics hub has been discussed for years. In June 2023, airport management announced plans to launch bonded warehouses alongside Kyrgyz Pochtasy (Kyrgyz Post) to support e-commerce enterprises. In July 2025, Kyrgyz Airports, Kyrgyz Pochtasy, and Customs Infrastructure signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a multimodal logistics center featuring customs terminals, warehouses, and digital platforms. A Kyrgyz delegation also reviewed the operations of Chinese firm ZTO Cloud Warehouse. It remains unclear, however, whether the newly announced 40,000-square-meter terminal is part of that previously agreed venture.
Official data indicates that Kyrgyz airports handled 32,800 metric tons of air freight in 2024, with Manas accounting for 31,400 metric tons—representing roughly 96% of the nation's total air cargo volume.
