Overview

As Kyrgyzstan is landlocked, there are no seaports. There are also no inland waterways with transport capacity in Kyrgyzstan. Possible seaports for importing goods are:

1) Riga, Latvia on the Baltic Sea, which is 4,744 km by train from Bishkek. For further information please see the 2.1.1 Latvia Port of Riga Port Assessment or this link: http://www.rop.lv/en.

2) Poti, Georgia on the Black Sea is 2,977km by train from Osh. For further information - http://www.potiseaport.com.

3) Vladivostok fish port, Valdivoskok, Russian Federation is 8410 km by road. For further information - http://fishport.ru/port/

For distance to port information, please see the 2.4 Railway Assessment section.  The Freeport of Riga is a significant part of global and regional cargo supply chains and passengers traffic network in Baltic Sea region, providing safe and reliable services. Last time only Riga has been used and mainly to import vegetable oil, as other goods have been sourced in Russia or locally.

Several companies are available via link https://azfreight.com/.

Airports

There are 11 airports in the Kyrgyz Republic. Three of them have international flight processing capacity. Manas International Airport in Bishkek is the largest and best-equipped airport in the country and is equipped for heavy aircrafts landing. Manas Management Company handles all airfreight. It also manages modern warehouse space with temperature control and other features. Manas Management Company is also a catering company for airlines serviced at the airport.

Another international airport in the South of Kyrgyzstan – Osh, has air routes to the capital Bishkek and four cities in Russian Federation, including Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and Novosibirsk. Though not as equipped as Manas International Airport, it is the second largest airport in the Kyrgyz Republic.

The third international airport is “Issyk-Kul” (former name “Tamchi”) located 35 km to the west of Cholpon-Ata city, in the Tamchi resort area of the Kyrgyz Republic. Kyrgyz Government plans to make this airport a direct tourist receiving point and a reserve hub for emergency situations when Manas International airport is overloaded or unable to handle planes for whatever circumstances. In 2015, under reconstruction project, the runway extended up to 1800 m and completed construction of turn-off strip to allow receipt of airplanes Ту-154, Ту-204, Boing-737, А-319, А-320 and their analogues.

Key airport information may also be found at: World Aero Data.

Civil Aviation Agency

The Civil Aviation Agency (CAA) under the Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Kyrgyz Republic carries out state regulations and special/executive, supervisory, regulatory and other functions in the field of civil aviation in accordance with Air Code of the Kyrgyz Republic.

The main functions and duties of CAA include:

• Regulation of civil aviation activities in the Kyrgyz Republic for safe, regular, and efficient air transport and other civil aviation services;
• Development of drafts of the Aviation Rules and other regulatory acts of the Kyrgyz Republic in the area of civil aviation;
• Issuance of certificates of aviation personnel;
• Certification/registration of civil aircraft, aeronautical products, civil/joint aerodromes, operators;
• Licensing of activities in the area of civil aviation associated with flight support, maintenance, repair of aircraft or other aeronautical products, training of aviation personnel, etc. 
   

For more information, please see the following links:

4.1 Kyrgyzstan Government Contact List

4.5 Kyrgyzstan Airport Company Contact List

Procedures for Foreign Registered Aircraft

Every flight that enters Kyrgyzstan airspace should have over flight permission. This must be received prior to the flight, from the Civil Aviation Department. Requests should include the following information:

• Flight number
• Aircraft Registration
• Operator and crew documentation
• Entering Point and Time of Arrival
• Airport of Destination
• Exiting point and time of departure.
• Purpose of the flight
• Number of passengers or freight information.

Kyrgyz Republic’s roadways total 34,000 km, including 140 km expressways, 22,600 km of paved roads, and 7,700 km of unpaved roads. Most of freight and passenger transport is by road. The surface condition of these roads varies from fair to poor. Road condition is one of the worst among CIS countries. Much of the country is mountainous and many routes involve steep grades and mountain passes. Winter conditions from late October through to April can result in snow, ice, avalanches and fog. Damage to roads due to an earthquake or landslide could severely affect transportation of supplies various regions. Secondary roads are in poor condition and local knowledge is essential before dispatching any supplies along such routes. The main roads such as the Bishkek to Osh are open all year round but include several high passes that are subject to winter conditions. Axle load limitation is 8 ton/per axle in the country and for all neighboring countries. This limitation is applied for all vehicle types.

Construction of the Phase 1 and 2 of the North-South alternative road was planned until 2019, but has been extended until 2023.

For more information on government contact details, please see the following link: 4.1 Government Contact List.

Distance Matrix

Travel Time Matrix

Road Security

Road security in Kyrgyzstan is good.
 

Weighbridges and Axle Load Limits

Weighbridges are widely used in Kyrgyzstan in-country transport operations. Private weighbridges are available for commercial purposes at private warehouses and depots in the capital and Osh City.

Currently there is an 8 MT limitation per axle set by the Government all over the country. 

Road Class and Surface Conditions

Road Construction/Maintenance

The reconstruction of the Osh – Batken – Isfana road is in progress. The asphalt is being laid on part from Samarkandek – Isfana.

For more information, please see the following link: 4.1 Kyrgyzstan Government Contact List

Road Classification

Road Inventory

International Corridors

Osh – Irkeshtam (route from People's Republic of China)
This corridor provides the only direct connection between the Ferghana Valley region of Kyrgyzstan, and south western portion of the Xinjiang Uigur Autonomous Region (XUAR) of PRC. This route has high passes that are frequently blocked by drifting snow, which can cause road closures for several days. The road is also prone to erosion from the flooding during the spring thaw. (ADB report)

Bishkek – Torugart (route from People's Republic of China)
This is an important regional route linking the People's Republic of China (PRC) to Central Asia and Europe on what was once part of the Silk Road. Reconstruction of this road already completed and operational without any interruption. Some short-time closure may happen due to heavy snow.

Bishkek – Taraz (Kazakstan)
This route connects the Chui, Osh and Jalal-Abad provinces with Kazakhstan. This route is open all year round but may be blocked by heavy snowfalls in winter.

Osh – Isfana (Kyrgyz – Uzbek/Tajik border)
Main connection road between southern city of Osh to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan border in the southern region of Kyrgyzstan. Road is operational round year.

Saritash – Karamik (Kyrgyz-Tajik border)
Connecting south of Kyrgyzstan with border city of Karamik. Road is operational round year.

Main domestic road corridors

Kyrgyzstan highways connect main cities from the north to the south. Mainly 1 Lane/side roads are accessible round year, except during heavy weather conditions (snowfall, avalanches and etc.)

Bishkek – Osh
Bishkek – Osh, distancing 672 km is main highway used between capital city of Bishkek and southern capital city of Osh. Road is accessible round year by all types of vehicles. Operation could be stopped up to one day due to heavy snowfall. About 6000 vehicles/trucks crossing this road a day.

Bishkek-Naryn-Torugart (China border)
The 539-km Bishkek – Naryn – Torugart road is a significant national and international highway in Kyrgyzstan that connects the southern part of the country with northern region. The road connects with neighboring countries such as Kazakhstan, China and the Karakoram Highway with Pakistan. The road was constructed in 1930 during the former Soviet Union period. The route includes 48 bridges, nine underpasses and one aqueduct. The road reconstruction was completed in 2015.

Osh-Batken-Isfana (Tajik border)
The road runs south-west from Osh, and then westwards from Kyzyl-Kiya to Koktala village, which is located very close to the border with Uzbekistan. Soon after that, at km 108.6, the first detour around Uzbekistan territory was constructed.

The Osh – Isfana road has, so far, not been given an international identification. One of reasons for this road to be included in the Asian Highway network is that it can form an alternative route to AH7 through the Fergana valley to Tajikistan (Hudjant).

Road Corridor Assessment

Kyrgyzstan highways connect main cities from the north to the south. Mainly 1 lane/side roads are accessible round year, except during heavy weather conditions (snowfall, avalanches and etc).

The Kyrgyzstan railway network consists of 470 km of broad gauge (1.520-m) (2008).

Key railway station located in Bishkek (Alamudun) and Osh (Osh - 2). Majority of cargo goes through these stations. According to 2018 data, in total RW delivered 7.4 million tons of cargo and about 324 400 passengers.  It consists of two lines – the Northern line (322.7km) that runs from Lugovaya through Bishkek to Bakykchy. This line connects Kyrgyzstan with Russia through Kazakhstan.

The Southern line is made up of four sections that connect Kyrgyzstan with Uzbekistan then on to Russia, at four different points, with a total of 101.2km of line. Approximate cost of transportation – $100 USD per MT for freight from Moscow to Bishkek. 68 MT of cargo can be moved a day in covered wagons. A maximum of 25 mt of tobacco or cotton can be moved a day.

For more information, please see the following link: 4.1 Kyrgyzstan Government Contact List
 

 Travel Time Matrix 

Railway Companies and Consortia

For more information, please see the following link: 4.9 Kyrgyzstan Railway Company Contact List

Key Route Information 

Main international railway lines

*Wagon freight is done with a ferry across the Caspian Sea

**Container freight is by rail the whole distance

In the Kyrgyz Republic there are no major waterways used for transport of passengers or cargo.

Storage Overview

The majority of warehouse storage capacities are available in Bishkek and Osh cities. They are mainly private. Some of the warehouses have railway passes that affect to rental payment. The average monthly rent varies between $2-$5 per square meter (concrete buildings). Refrigerators cost about $10 per square meters plus utilities. Some of warehouse have their own security but it is recommended to put in additional security systems.

For more information, please see the following link: 4.6 Kyrgyzstan Storage and Milling Company Contact List

Commercial Storage

Storage Used by Humanitarian Organizations

**Warehouse Access: Raised-siding, flat

Cold Chain

Milling Overview

There are more than 50 mills across the country which produce high, first and second class wheat flour. Big mills produce 200-50 MT per day, medium size mills produce 20-10 MT per day, small mills produce less than 10 MT per day.  Big and medium size mills have feeders installed in their production lines that produce high and first class wheat flour. Small mills do not have the technical capacity to fortify wheat flour. Medium and small mills are periodically closed and opened again in accordance to the market conditions.

For more information, please see the following link: 4.6 Kyrgyzstan Storage and Milling Company Contact List

Milling Company Akun

For additional information, please see the following link: 4.6 Kyrgyzstan Storage and Milling Company Contact List.