newstodate.aero
Oct 08, 2013 (newstodate): Kyrgyzstan is to close down Manas Transit Center, at Bishkek, in July 2014, and much-heralded dreams for its conversion into a cargo transit hub are still to turn into reality.
The government of Kyrgyzstan is keen to secure a future role for Bishkek's Manas International Airport after the pull-out from Afghanistan of the US forces now transiting cargo at the airport.
Plans are to attract traffic by international airlines to build up Manas Air Transit Center as an air logistics center in the region serving the US/Europe traffic to Asia.
But so far, no break-through for the plans are on the horizon as no international carrier has responded to the proclaimed need for a pit-stop at Manas for Europe-Asia cargo flights.
Manas Transit Center has been a virtual cash-chow for Kyrgyzstan, providing about three percent of the state's budget.
The government of Kyrgyzstan is keen to secure a future role for Bishkek's Manas International Airport after the pull-out from Afghanistan of the US forces now transiting cargo at the airport.
Plans are to attract traffic by international airlines to build up Manas Air Transit Center as an air logistics center in the region serving the US/Europe traffic to Asia.
But so far, no break-through for the plans are on the horizon as no international carrier has responded to the proclaimed need for a pit-stop at Manas for Europe-Asia cargo flights.
Manas Transit Center has been a virtual cash-chow for Kyrgyzstan, providing about three percent of the state's budget.