Construction has begun in Karakol on Kyrgyzstan's tallest control tower

Construction has begun at Karakol International Airport on a new control tower, which will be the tallest structure of its kind in Kyrgyzstan. The project was launched on May 29 during a time capsule burial ceremony.

The new facility is being built as part of the modernization of the country’s aviation infrastructure. Construction began on May 15, 2026, and is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year—by December 31. The project is being implemented by the state-owned enterprise “Kyrgyz Aeronavigation” under the State Agency for Civil Aviation.

According to the plans, the new control tower will consist of nine floors, including a basement level. The total area of the building will be 835 square meters, and the height of the control tower will reach 36 meters.

Thus, Karakol Airport will not only gain new air traffic control infrastructure but also the tallest control tower in the country’s history.

As noted in the aviation industry, the facility is of strategic importance for the further development of the Issyk-Kul region. The new control tower will improve flight safety and air traffic control efficiency, as well as provide air traffic controllers with a full view of the airport grounds.

It is expected that once the facility is operational, Karakol International Airport will be able to handle domestic and international flights year-round, regardless of weather conditions. This is particularly important given the growing interest in the Issyk-Kul region from tourists and airlines.

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Daniyar Bostanov, Director of the State Civil Aviation Agency; Berkut Kalmuratov, CEO of the state-owned enterprise “KyrgyzAeronavigatsiya”; Nurlan Mombekov, Deputy Mayor of Karakol; and representatives of the aviation industry.

The construction of the new control tower marks the latest phase in the modernization of Karakol Airport, which in recent years has been regarded as one of the key aviation hubs for developing tourism in Issyk-Kul and expanding international air service.