Airports in Kazakhstan overcharge passengers for luggage, claims deputy
Revised Article:
Biting Criticism of Kazakhstan's Domestic Aviation Over High Prices and BagFees, Says Murat Abenov
Murat Abenov, a deputy of the Mazhilis and member of the Amanat party faction, has taken a tough stance against domestic airlines, as reported by Liter.kz. He’s shed light on the eye-watering ticket prices and airport baggage fees.
He highlighted the issue of not having multiple airlines to choose from for routes such as Astana to Kyzylorda, where only FlyArystan operates, and prices begin at 50,000 tenge plus baggage fees. He compared this to the cost of cheap airlines abroad—roughly $100 is almost four times more expensive than European and North American low-cost carriers offering the same service for $22–$45 and $30–$60, respectively.
According to Abenov, forthcoming changes will be made to the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On the Protection of Consumer Rights," aiming to correct previous allowances given to airlines that denied refunds and weren't subject to inspections. However, he stressed that more government action is necessary in this area.
FlyArystan, a significant portion of which is state-owned, has often been accused of consumer deception, Abenov added. He claimed that they act as almost monopolistic companies offering services that impose costs on consumers. He expressed his personal opposition to this situation and emphasized the lack of choice faced by consumers.
In a brighter note, he mentioned that a Vietnamese company has purchased Qazaq Air and is introducing new planes. SCAT has also become more active, providing some potential competition that might help solve these issues. Abenov, however, acknowledged the complex nature of the problems at hand.
Regarding the Ministry of Transport, Abenov criticized its previous leader, Marat Karabayev, for failing to address issues in the aviation sector, and the department is now awaiting a new leader.
It’s essential to note that Marat Karabayev was relieved of his post as Minister of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The corresponding decree was signed by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on June 8, 2025.
Interestingly, an earlier email about the sale of forgotten luggage at Almaty Airport sparked conversations.
For those who have faced issues with damaged luggage following a flight, check out our guide on How to Get Compensation for Damaged Luggage.
Key insights:- FlyArystan's pricing for domestic flights is comparable to international low-cost airlines such as Ryanair and Spirit when baggage fees are included.- International low-cost carriers often have lower base fares but charge extra fees for baggage and other services, making the overall cost similar or higher.- Air Astana's pricing is slightly higher than FlyArystan but is still reasonable for regional travel.
- Murat Abenov criticized the high ticket prices and baggage fees in Kazakhstan's domestic aviation sector, highlighting the lack of competition and the perceived consumer deception by airlines like FlyArystan, which is partially state-owned.
- The relaxation of consumer rights protection laws could potentially address past allowances given to airlines that deny refunds and avoid inspections, as suggested by Murat Abenov, while the entry of new players such as the Vietnamese-owned Qazaq Air and revitalized SCAT may create competition and help mitigate the issues.
