AKIPRESS.COM - As part of creating favorable conditions for the development of international air services, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) with Swiss support helped conduct a detailed analysis of the potential of Manas International Airport JSC (JSC “MAM”) and its comparative advantages for expanding the international flights geography. Priority routes with the greatest potential for development were identified, and detailed recommendations were developed for each route in the form of an airline development plan.

Since June 2022, the Kyrgyzstan Investment and Growth Project realized by IFC and financed by the Government of Switzerland, together with its partners and JSC “MAM” is actively working to open new international flights to the country. Business cases and presentations for airlines were prepared, participation in three international aviation events was supported and a series of meetings with airlines were held.

As a result of efforts made by JSC “MAM” and Wizz Air Abu Dhabi and with the support of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, it became possible to open a new Abu Dhabi - Bishkek - Abu Dhabi route in June this year. It is also planned to open a flight on the Abu Dhabi - Osh route in the near future.

Chairman of the Management Board of JSC “MAM” Manasbek Samidinov underlined: “We are sure that our partnership with Wizz Air Abu Dhabi will only expand both in terms of the flights geography and the number of based aircrafts. This will result in inflow of new tourists and development of tourist sector”.

Ambassador of Switzerland to the Kyrgyz Republic Olivier Bangerter congratulated on the opening of the new flight and noted: “The new international air communication means that Kyrgyzstan is now even more open to the world. I hope this will allow many more people to visit Kyrgyzstan and develop tourism”.

IFC Country officer for the Kyrgyz Republic Manizha Mamadnabieva said: “Opening new international air services will help increase the inflow of tourists to the country, develop the tourism industry and create jobs, including for young people and women. This initiative is part of IFC's assistance to develop the private sector and stimulate economic growth in the Kyrgyz Republic”.

IFC also supports the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic in conducting an open Public-private partnership tender to attract a qualified private operator to invest in Manas International Airport infrastructure.