ALMATY, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Kazakhstan's first national cargo airline is slated to begin operations in early 2026, the Kazakh prime minister's press service announced Wednesday.

In line with international practice, the airline will begin with leasing three aircraft, with plans to expand its fleet to 10 aircraft.

Kazakhstan's Minister of Transport Nurlan Sauranbayev said the country's total aircraft fleet is expected to reach 221 by the end of 2030.

Kazakh airlines carried 7.2 million passengers in the first half of 2025, up 6 percent from the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Transport. The volume of passenger services at airports increased to 14.4 million people. ■