Teesside International Airport and Sary-Arka Airport in Kazakhstan have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore new cargo services between the UK and Central Asia.
The partnership will focus on expanding international freight networks, developing logistics infrastructure and creating new trade links between Europe and Asia.
Under the agreement, the airports will explore scheduled and charter freighter operations between Teesside International Airport and Sary-Arka Airport, including the potential for direct cargo flights between Teesside and Karaganda.
The two airports will also jointly engage with airlines, charter operators, freight forwarders and logistics companies to identify opportunities for new services.
Teesside International Airport has been developing its position as a UK e-commerce and air cargo hub and currently handles multiple daily flights through its cargo tenants. The airport said further scheduled cargo services to Europe and Asia are due to be announced.
Sary-Arka Airport, located in Karaganda, is meanwhile being developed as an international cargo and logistics hub linking China and Central Asia with European markets. Its location on trans-Eurasian trade corridors is being supported by investment in cargo handling capabilities, airline partnerships and logistics infrastructure.
The MoU also provides for the airports to share expertise in airport, cargo and real estate development and collaborate on e-commerce cargo handling initiatives.
Phil Forster, managing director of Teesside International Airport, said: “This agreement represents an exciting opportunity for Teesside International Airport as we continue to strengthen our position as a growing cargo gateway connecting the UK with key global markets.
“Sary-Arka Airport shares many of our ambitions and is strategically positioned as an important cargo hub between Europe and Asia.
“By working together, we can identify new freight opportunities, support airline growth, share expertise and create stronger links for businesses across our respective regions.
"We believe this partnership can play an important role in developing future trade routes and enhancing connectivity between Teesside, Central Asia and China.”
Ruslan Gabbassov, chief executive of Sary-Arka Airport, said: “Karaganda and Teesside have highly complementary positions in the emerging global cargo network. Teesside provides strong access to the UK and European markets, while Sary-Arka is strategically located at the heart of Eurasia, with direct access to the rapidly growing trade flows between China, Central Asia and Europe.
“This partnership is therefore not simply about establishing a route between two airports. It is about combining our respective strengths to develop new cargo flows, attract airlines and logistics operators, and create more efficient connections between our markets.
“For Sary-Arka Airport, this MoU is an important part of our strategy to develop Karaganda as an international cargo and logistics hub. We look forward to working with Teesside as an equal partner to turn these opportunities into commercially sustainable cargo services and long-term trade links.”
