Almaty International Airport — Almaty, Kazakhstan

Almaty served as capital of Kazakhstan until the government relocated to the purpose-built city of Astana in 1997, and despite losing that status, it remains the country's largest city and its primary commercial and cultural center by a wide margin. The airport climbs to 2,234 feet above sea level at the foot of the Tian Shan mountain range, whose snow-capped peaks loom over the city, and its two runways still handle the bulk of Kazakhstan's international air traffic even though the political capital lies elsewhere. Almaty's position near the mountains has made it a base for skiing and mountaineering tourism, with the Medeu ice rink and Shymbulak ski resort both within easy reach of the city. The airport's continued dominance over Astana's newer facility reflects Almaty's deeper economic roots, developed over the Soviet era and the decades since Kazakhstan's independence in 1991. International airlines connecting Central Asia to Europe, the Middle East, and East Asia frequently route through Almaty given its established infrastructure and larger local passenger base. For most travelers visiting Kazakhstan for business or the mountain scenery nearby, ALA remains the more practical arrival point despite Astana's status as the seat of government.