Almaty Airport Floods After Heavy Rain Exposes Maintenance Failures
Heavy rain on Sunday, May 3, led to severe flooding at Almaty International Airport. Water poured through the terminal roof, causing major disruptions for passengers and staff. Airport authorities have since issued an apology and begun urgent repairs. The flooding started after intense downpours overwhelmed the terminal’s infrastructure. Videos shared online showed water cascading from the ceiling, forcing passengers to navigate ankle-deep floods inside the building.
An emergency meeting followed, involving the Ministry of Transport and law enforcement. Officials reviewed the incident and identified lapses in maintenance protocols. As a result, the Civil Aviation Committee imposed administrative fines on the airport under the Code of Administrative Offenses. Mehmet Güzel, the Senior Vice President for Technical Affairs, now faces disciplinary measures. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Transport has promised stricter checks on aviation infrastructure to prevent future failures. Authorities estimate that full repairs and systemic fixes will take up to six months.
The airport administration continues to address the damage while working to restore normal operations. Passengers affected by the flooding have been assured of compensation where applicable. The incident has prompted calls for improved oversight of airport maintenance standards.
