Sary-Arka Airport (KGF)

Karaganda, KZ 🇰🇿 Medium Airport Scheduled Service

ICAO

UAKK

IATA

KGF

Elevation

1765 ft

Region

KZ-KAR

Local Time

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Airport Information

GPS Code: UAKK

Local Code: Not available

Location: 49.670799° N, 73.334396° E

Continent: AS

Type: Medium Airport

Arrivals
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Departures
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External Links

Wikipedia Live Flights
Nearby Points of Interest

What Travelers Say

AI-Generated Summary Based on web research

Sary-Arka Airport (KGF) in Karaganda, Kazakhstan, receives mixed reviews from travelers, indicating a polarized sentiment. While some appreciate its conveniences, a significant number of travelers express dissatisfaction, often describing the airport as feeling somewhat abandoned with limited services.

What Travelers Love
  • Convenient Bus Access: Travelers note the ease of reaching the airport from the city center using specific bus routes like 495 or 500A, which are considered cheaper and faster options.
  • Friendly Security Staff: Despite other criticisms, the security staff are frequently highlighted for being friendly and polite.
  • Efficient Security and Immigration Times: Recent data suggests relatively short wait times, with security averaging around 25-30 minutes and immigration approximately 8 minutes.
  • Renovated Infrastructure and Cargo Capabilities: The airport boasts a renovated and well-equipped infrastructure, capable of handling large aircraft, and is noted for its efficient cargo operations.
Common Complaints
  • Limited Amenities: A recurring complaint is the extremely limited options for food and drink, which are often available only during specific hours, contributing to an "abandoned" feeling.
  • Poor Transportation Connections (Taxis): Travelers frequently criticize the taxi service as a nightmare, with ride-hailing apps like Yandex working sporadically, leading to difficulties in reaching Karaganda from the airport.
  • Customs Concerns and Rude Personnel: There are safety concerns reported by female travelers regarding potential traps at customs. Additionally, some passengers have encountered rude personnel and negative attitudes from immigration/customs staff, describing "stupid questions."

Overall, Sary-Arka Airport offers some efficiencies in terms of security and bus access, but the lack of comprehensive amenities and reliable taxi services, coupled with significant concerns regarding customs experiences for some travelers, contribute to a generally low satisfaction level, suggesting a need for improvements in passenger-facing services and ground transportation.

Generated 6 days ago

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This summary is automatically generated by AI based on web research of traveler reviews and experiences. AI-generated content may not always be 100% accurate.

Current Weather Conditions

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Airport Routes

Top Routes (by observations)
Newly Discovered
Popular Flight Routes
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Destination IATA City Aircraft Type Airline Details Route Map
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Top Airlines

Operating at Sary-Arka Airport
Airlines by Flight Activity
Based on observed flight operations and route network
Airline Routes Flights Destinations Last Activity
FlyArystan
AYN / FS
2 44 2 Dec 11, 2025
Qazaq Air
QAZ / IQ
2 8 2 Dec 11, 2025
Aeroflot
AFL / SU
1 6 1 Dec 5, 2025
3 6 3 Dec 11, 2025
1 1 1 Dec 5, 2025
Showing top 5 airlines by flight activity. Data includes observed departures and route networks from this airport.
For Pilots

Designation Length Width Surface Status
05/23 10831 ft 197 ft CON Active Lighted

Type Description Frequency
APP APP 122.0 MHz
TWR TWR 118.3 MHz

Ident Name Type Frequency
KA Karaganda NDB 299 kHz
KRG Karaganda VOR-DME 113400 kHz
RG Karaganda NDB 299 kHz

Ground Transportation

Last updated: Nov 21, 2025
Taxis

Taxis are readily available at the airport. You can find official taxi counters inside the terminal or use ride-hailing apps like Yandex.Go, which is very popular in Kazakhstan and often offers competitive pricing. The taxi stand is located just outside the arrivals hall. The journey to Karaganda city center typically takes about 20-30 minutes.

Rental Cars

Car rental options are available, but it is highly recommended to book in advance. While major international brands may not have a permanent desk inside the terminal, several local and regional companies offer services with airport pick-up and drop-off. Arrangements should be made online prior to your arrival to ensure vehicle availability.

Public Transportation

The most economical option is the public bus. Bus route No. 120 connects Sary-Arka Airport with the main bus station (Avtovokzal) in Karaganda. The bus stop is located outside the terminal building. The service is infrequent compared to taxis, and the journey to the city center takes significantly longer, approximately 40-50 minutes.

Nearby Airports

Balapan Airfield
KZ-0112
Karagandy, KZ
Small Airport
~7 km away
Karaganda Southwest Airport
KZ-0036
Karaganda, KZ
Small Airport
~26 km away
Novaya Uzenka Airfield
KZ-7471
Uzenka, KZ
Small Airport
~32 km away
Volskoye Airport
KZ-0064
Volskoye, KZ
Small Airport
~82 km away
Anar Heliport
KZ-7473
Anar, KZ
Heliport
~130 km away
Distances are approximate and calculated as straight-line distances.