AIFC presents its first regional aviation finance report and supports Jupiter Jet’s first aircraft leasing transaction
At Astana Finance Days 2026, representatives of the aviation and financial sectors discussed the capital requirements of Kazakhstan and Central Asia, as well as opportunities in aircraft leasing, aircraft finance, and financing for airport infrastructure and other strategic assets.
On 10 September 2026, the roundtable “The Untapped Potential of the Regional Aviation Finance Market in Kazakhstan and Central Asia” was held as part of the 9th Astana Finance Days 2026: Delivering Impact. Capital in Action forum.
The event brought together representatives of government bodies, airlines, cargo carriers, airports, financial institutions, leasing companies and other aviation industry stakeholders.
The rapid growth of the aviation market in Kazakhstan and Central Asia is driving increasing demand for financing. Airlines are expanding their aircraft fleets, the air cargo sector is growing, and airports are investing in modernisation and capacity expansion. In this environment, access to competitive and sustainable sources of capital is becoming a key driver of the industry’s continued growth.
Roundtable participants discussed how Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries could attract international capital more actively and develop financing solutions for aircraft acquisition and leasing, airport modernisation and other strategic aviation projects. Particular attention was given to cooperation between aviation companies, banks, investors and international lessors.
The AIFC is actively working with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) under the ICAO Finvest Hub initiative. The parties have already signed a Letter of Intent and plan to conclude a Memorandum of Understanding. As a partner of ICAO Finvest, AIFC is steadily expanding cooperation on projects involving Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
Another practical outcome of the roundtable was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the AIFC and the Development Bank of Kazakhstan (DBK) to support SAF initiatives. The parties will jointly explore opportunities for developing SAF projects, facilitate interaction between market participants and help create conditions for attracting financing. This collaboration will bring together ICAO’s international experience, the AIFC’s regional aviation and investment expertise, and DBK’s capabilities in financing Kazakhstan’s strategic initiatives.
During the event, the AIFC presented its first industry report, “Aviation Finance in Kazakhstan and Central Asia: Global Trends and the Role of the Astana International Financial Centre”. The study examines key trends in the global aviation finance market and emerging opportunities for the industry in Central Asia and the Caucasus. It analyses various aircraft financing models, including operating and finance leases, capital market instruments and alternative sources of finance. The authors also reviewed the experience of leading international aviation finance centres in Ireland, Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai and the United States.
A dedicated section of the report examines the investment potential of aviation markets in Central Asia and the Caucasus, prospects for aircraft fleet expansion, passenger traffic growth and potential entry points for investors. The report also outlines the AIFC’s capabilities for structuring aircraft financing and leasing transactions, supported by a legal framework based on English common law principles, an independent dispute resolution system, a favourable tax environment and the Centre’s well-developed financial infrastructure.
“To strengthen Kazakhstan’s position as a regional aviation finance hub, the AIFC is developing the ‘soft’ infrastructure required to build an aviation finance ecosystem. Our goal is not only to broaden access for Kazakhstan’s companies to international leasing, but also to develop domestic expertise and related services for working with such complex products. In the longer term, this will enable Kazakhstan to become a regional platform for structuring and supporting aviation finance transactions,” noted Zhanbolat Kakishev, Chief Product Officer of the AIFC Authority.
Another milestone in the development of the AIFC’s aviation finance agenda was the completion of the first aircraft leasing transaction by Jupiter Jet, a Kazakhstan-based cargo airline, with a US lessor.
The AIFC Aviation Finance Hub supported Jupiter Jet at key stages of the transaction, including the development of the leasing structure and assistance with commercial negotiations with the lessor. The successful execution of the lease agreement demonstrated the readiness of Kazakhstan’s air cargo operators to participate in international aircraft leasing transactions.
The cooperation between Jupiter Jet, JanaPort Ltd. and the AIFC Aviation Finance Hub also provided a practical example of how airlines, airports and holding companies can leverage specialised financial infrastructure to expand aircraft fleets, improve operational efficiency and develop Central Asia’s transit potential.
The AIFC Aviation Finance Hub was established to build an aviation finance ecosystem in Kazakhstan and the wider region. The Hub facilitates cooperation between aviation companies and international investors, financial institutions and lessors, while providing practical support in structuring and executing transactions.
“Aircraft leasing is a complex mechanism that requires the alignment of commercial, legal and technical terms. As aviation is governed by international standards, new market participants often face high barriers to entry. This is precisely why developing local expertise offers considerable potential: bringing global lessors into the AIFC jurisdiction will give fresh impetus to the development of civil aviation in Kazakhstan and support growth across related industries,” emphasised Assel Bagissova, Head of the AIFC Aviation Finance Hub.
The AIFC will continue to bring together key market participants, facilitate access for Kazakhstan’s and regional aviation companies to international sources of capital, and develop specialised aviation finance and leasing infrastructure and expertise in Kazakhstan. In the longer term, the development of this ecosystem will enable Kazakhstan to become a regional platform for structuring and supporting aviation finance transactions serving Central Asia’s growing market.
Reference:
The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) is an independent jurisdiction where investors and business meet emerging opportunities of Kazakhstan and Central Asia in a transparent and sustainable environment backed by the principles of English Common Law. www.aifc.kz
AIFC Press Office,
Ainur Issabayeva, press secretary
E-mail: [email protected]
