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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GPS Code: UAKK
Local Code: Not available
Location: 49.670799° N, 73.334396° E
Continent: Asia
Type: Medium Airport
What Travelers Say
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Online Reviews Summary
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.
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Airport Routes
Sary-Arka Airport (KGF) offers 9 flight routes operated by 5 airlines. Major carriers include FlyArystan, SCAT Airlines, Qazaq Air and others. Popular destinations from Karaganda include Antalya, Almaty, Turkistan Int'l, Zhezkazgan and Uralsk.
Route Network Map
Top Routes (by observations)
Newly Discovered
- Almaty (ALA) new
- Sheremetyevo Int'l (SVO) new
- Uralsk (URA) new
- Aktau (SCO) new
- Turkistan Int'l (HSA) new
- Hong Kong Int'l (HKG) new
- Semey (PLX) new
- Zhezkazgan (DZN) new
- Antalya (AYT) new
Popular Flight Routes
| Destination | IATA | City | Aircraft Type | Airline | Details | Route Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Top Airlines
Operating at Sary-Arka AirportAirlines by Flight Activity
Based on observed flight operations and route network| Airline | Routes | Flights | Destinations | Last Activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
FlyArystan
AYN
/ FS
|
2 | 71 | 2 | Feb 14, 2026 |
|
SCAT Airlines
VSV
/ DV
|
3 | 9 | 3 | Jan 26, 2026 |
|
Qazaq Air
QAZ
/ IQ
|
2 | 8 | 2 | Dec 11, 2025 |
Aeroflot
AFL
/ SU
|
1 | 7 | 1 | Feb 9, 2026 |
Ethiopian Airlines
ETH
/ ET
|
1 | 1 | 1 | Dec 5, 2025 |
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 |
Ground Transportation
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.