Teesside International Airport and Sary-Arka Airport in Kazakhstan have signed an agreement to strengthen air cargo connectivity between the UK, Central Asia and China.
The Memorandum of Understanding brings together two ambitious cargo-focused airports with complementary geographic positions and a shared objective to expand international freight networks, develop logistics infrastructure and create new opportunities for trade between Europe and Asia.
Teesside International Airport has established itself as a growing UK e-commerce and air cargo hub, attracting global freight forwarders and expanding its on-airport cargo presence. The airport currently manages multiple daily flights through its cargo tenants, with additional scheduled air cargo services to Europe and Asia due to be announced.
Sary-Arka Airport, located in Karaganda at the heart of Kazakhstan, is being developed as a major international cargo and logistics hub connecting China, Central Asia and European markets. With its strategic location on key trans-Eurasian trade corridors, significant available land and developing cargo infrastructure, Sary-Arka is expanding its handling capabilities, airline partnerships and logistics ecosystem to support both transit and regional freight flows.
The strengths of the two airports have led their management teams to formalise their relationship through the MoU, with a shared ambition to develop new cargo traffic between their regions and strengthen wider Europe-Central Asia-China connectivity. The agreement provides a framework for sharing expertise in airport, cargo and real estate development, both within and beyond airport boundaries, as well as collaboration on innovative e-commerce cargo handling initiatives.
Under the terms of the agreement, both airports will work together to explore commercial and cargo services, including scheduled and charter freighter operations between Teesside and Sary-Arka.
The partnership will also support the development of their respective regional logistics ecosystems by improving access to reliable freight capacity and creating stronger links between businesses in the Tees Valley, Kazakhstan, Central Asia and China.
The two airports will jointly engage with airlines, charter operators, freight forwarders and logistics companies to identify opportunities for new services, including potential direct cargo flights between Teesside and Karaganda.
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, CEO 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.”
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “We have worked incredibly hard to transform Teesside International Airport into a thriving centre for business, logistics and international trade, and this agreement is another important step forward in that journey. Building relationships with ambitious international partners such as Sary-Arka Airport creates real opportunities for our businesses to access new markets and strengthens Teesside’s position as a globally connected region. As we continue to grow our cargo operation and attract further investment, partnerships like this will help unlock new routes, support jobs and drive economic growth across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool.”
