BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, December 18. Manasbek
Samidinov, Chairman of the Board of Airports of Kyrgyzstan, met
with Bilal Ekşi, CEO of Turkish Airlines, in Istanbul to discuss
increasing the number of cargo and passenger flights, as well as
expanding flight operations, Trend reports via the Airports of Kyrgyzstan OJSC.
During a working meeting in Istanbul, Bilal Ekşi, CEO of Turkish
Airlines, expressed the Turkish side’s readiness to collaborate
with Asman Airlines, Kyrgyzstan's state-owned carrier, and outlined
plans to increase both cargo and passenger flights.
Manasbek Samidinov, Chairman of the Board of Airports of
Kyrgyzstan, noted that Turkish Airlines had confirmed its intention
to expand its flight operations, which would include services with
technical stopovers at Manas International Airport. This expansion
is expected to enhance the airport's transit and cargo capacity,
thereby broadening the country's air connectivity.
In the course of the meeting, Ekşi highlighted the strategic
importance of strengthening ties with Kyrgyzstan, while the Kyrgyz
delegation extended an invitation for him to attend the
inauguration of the newly renovated terminal complex at Manas
International Airport, slated for the summer of 2026.
Earlier, Asman Airlines had launched direct regular flights
between Almaty and Karakol, beginning on December 5, 2025.
