Akazhar Airport

Primarily economic reasons following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The centrally planned and heavily subsidized Soviet regional air transport system collapsed, making small, remote airfields like At-Bashi financially unsustainable for the newly independent and economically struggling Kyrgyz Republic. There was no longer funding or sufficient demand to maintain operations.

The airport is completely abandoned and non-operational. Satellite imagery shows a clearly defined but unpaved and unmaintained runway. There are no significant buildings, hangars, or infrastructure remaining on the site. The land is an open field, likely used informally for livestock grazing or as a passage by local residents. It is not used for any aviation purposes.

During the Soviet era, Akazhar Airport (more commonly known as At-Bashi Airport) was a crucial transportation hub for the remote, high-altitude At-Bashi District of the Naryn Region. Its primary role was to provide essential air connectivity for passengers, mail, medical supplies, and light cargo. The airfield predominantly handled small, rugged utility aircraft capable of operating from unpaved runways, most notably the Antonov An-2. It connected the isolated local population to the regional capital, Naryn, and the national capital, Bishkek (then Frunze), overcoming difficult mountainous terrain that made ground transport slow and seasonal.

Prospects for reopening are high and part of an active government initiative. The Kyrgyz government has announced a national strategy to revive regional aviation to boost tourism, trade, and internal connectivity. At-Bashi Airport is specifically included in this plan. The development of the nearby At-Bashi Free Economic Zone and a major industrial-trade-logistics complex has significantly increased the strategic importance of the airport. As of 2023-2024, the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan is actively discussing the reconstruction of the airport, which would involve building a modern runway and terminal facilities. While a firm timeline for completion has not been publicly set, the project is a stated priority for regional development.