Narynkol Airport

Primarily due to economic reasons following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The state-subsidized model that supported small regional airports became financially unsustainable. The decline in the local economy, the high cost of fuel and aircraft maintenance, and the sharp drop in passenger demand made the route to Narynkol commercially unviable.

The airport is completely abandoned and non-operational. Satellite imagery of the location shows a clearly visible but degraded and unmaintained dirt/gravel runway. There are no signs of active use for aviation. The former terminal and support buildings, if any remain, are in a state of extreme disrepair. The land is essentially unused, reverting to open steppe, possibly used for occasional livestock grazing.

During the Soviet era, Narynkol Airport was a vital local air hub for the remote, mountainous Narynkol District. Its primary functions were:
1. **Connectivity:** It provided an essential link for passengers, mail, and critical supplies between Narynkol and the regional capital, Almaty (then Alma-Ata). This was especially crucial during harsh winters when road travel could be difficult.
2. **Medical Services:** The airport was used for medical evacuation flights (known as 'sanaviatsiya' or 'санавиация' in Russian), transporting patients in need of urgent care to larger city hospitals.
3. **Agricultural Aviation:** It served as a base for agricultural aircraft, most notably the Antonov An-2, for crop dusting and pest control on the surrounding collective farms (kolkhozes).
4. **Border Support:** Given its strategic location less than 40 km from the border with China, the airfield likely supported the operations of Soviet Border Troops with transport and aerial surveillance.

There have been periodic discussions and official plans by the government of Kazakhstan to revive a network of small, regional airports to boost domestic tourism. Narynkol is frequently mentioned in these plans due to its proximity to major tourist attractions like the Kolsai Lakes National Park, Kaindy Lake, and the Charyn Canyon. The strategic goal is to reduce the long travel time by road from Almaty and provide direct access for tourists. However, despite these announcements (e.g., as part of the 'Strong Regions - Driver of the Country's Development' national project), there has been no concrete action, confirmed funding, or a firm timeline for the reconstruction of Narynkol Airport as of early 2024. The prospect remains a long-term governmental ambition rather than an active project.