Balkanabat International Airport(IATA: BKN, ICAO: UTAN) is an airport to serve Balkanabat and the Balkan Region in Turkmenistan.[4][5][6][7] Is one of six international airports in the country. The airport is located in Jebel, 20 kilometers northwest of the city of Balkanabat and 4 kilometers from the Mollagara mud resort. The airport was constructed with a design capacity to accommodate up to 100 passengers per hour.[8][9]
Once open, it will replace the existing Balkanabat Airport as the city's main airport. Expected to be completed by 2025.[10] During the construction period, it was referred to in the media as Jebel Airport. In addition to the new Balkanabat International Airport, there was a regional Balkanabat Airport.
History
A tender for the construction of a new airport in Jebel, Balkan Province was announced in December 2020 by the Ministry of Construction and Architecture of Turkmenistan.[11]
On June 10, 2021, the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[12][13][14] allocated a $75 million loan for the construction of the airport in Jebel, Balkan Region.[15] The loan, provided to State Bank for Foreign Economic Affairs of Turkmenistan, has a 15-year term, including a 3-year grace period, with an interest rate of 4% per annum.[16]
On July 14, 2021, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the future airport, which is designed to handle 100 passengers per hour.[17][18]
Construction began in August 2022. The international airport in Jebel is being constructed on a 275-hectare site by the Turkmen private enterprise Gündogdy.[19]
As of February 2024, the construction of a transformer substation, a specialized water reservoir, and fire station facilities was nearing completion. A 35-meter tower for air traffic control staff and additional technical facilities were also under construction.[20]
Balkanabat International Airport in Turkmenistan was officially opened on May 2, 2025. Meanwhile, a previously existing regional Balkanabat Airport bearing the same name was located approximately 20 kilometers away.[21][22][23] The airport was built as part of Turkmenistan’s National Socio-Economic Development Program and the National Program for the Development of Civil Aviation through 2030.[21] It has received international registration with the ICAO (code: UTAN) and a certificate of compliance with IATA standards (code: BKN).
The first domestic flights to the airport began on 19 May 2025. The Turkmenistan Airlines launched services on the following routes: Ashgabat–Balkanabat–Ashgabat, Turkmenabat–Balkanabat–Turkmenabat, Mary–Balkanabat–Mary, and Dashoguz–Balkanabat–Dashoguz.[24] At the same time, the Belarusian airline Belavia launched international flights from Minsk to Balkanabat. This route was operated from May 20[25] to August 9, 2025.[26]
Infrastructure
The airport complex will cover an area of 275 hectares.[27] The site will include passenger and cargo terminals, an 35-metre air traffic control tower, and facilities for rescue and firefighting services.
The three-story passenger terminal, with a total area of 5,203 square meters, is designed to handle up to 100 passengers per hour.[21] The airport infrastructure includes an internet café, a buffet, a souvenir shop, a medical station, waiting lounges, a hotel, and a covered parking facility.
The runway will have a length of 3,200 meters.[27] The airport will also be equipped with ground support systems capable of handling all types of aircraft.[27]
The apron will accommodate 6 airplanes and 4 helicopters.[27]
State-of-the-art navigation, lighting, and meteorological equipment will be supplied by international companies such as Thales, Indra, Motorola, and Rohde & Schwarz.
There are also a 20-bed pilots' hotel, a specialised aircraft servicing vehicle depot, a transformer substation, water storage tanks, external water supply systems and auxiliary buildings.[27]
Access
The international airport in Jebel, Balkan Region, Turkmenistan, is being constructed 20 kilometers northwest of the city of Balkanabat and 4 kilometers from the Mollagara mud resort. Jebel is located at the junction of the M37 highway and the P-17 highway, which leads to the Cheleken Peninsula.[28]
Airlines and destinations
As of August 2025, Balkanabat International Airport serves flights operated by the following airlines:[29]
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