Friday, August 03, 2012 -
German airline Lufthansa is considering making the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek a stopover for its Europe-Southeast Asia flights, the company’s director of network planning told the Kyrgyz government on Friday.
The Lufthansa executive met with Deputy Prime Minister for Economy Djoomart Otorbaev on Friday to discuss the plans, the KyrTAG news agency reported.
Luftansa is eager to make use of the Manas Air Transit Center, the company spokesperson said.
Manas Air Transit Center has been in use by U.S. troops which are using the air base as a launching off point to enter and exit Afghanistan. However, the U.S. lease of the facility only lasts until 2014, when military withdrawal for it and NATO troops is scheduled, and Kyrgyzstan is eager to turn the complex into a civilian airport and logistics center.
Otorbaev during the meeting reiterated the pro-business Kyrgyz government’s intention to continue to improve the investment climate of the region, crack down on corruption, and attract more foreign direct investment.