Almaty Airport has provided free VIP assistance to close relatives of servicemen killed and survivors of exercises on the Caspian Sea, as well as to the surviving troops themselves. The airport's press service announced this, according to infohub.kz.
The service, organized by the airport together with Extime VIP Lounge, is available from September 25 to October 3, 2026, for passengers departing from or arriving in Almaty. Staff will accompany them at all stages of departure or arrival.
"Close relatives include parents, spouses, children, as well as siblings," the airport clarified, adding that documents confirming kinship will be required when applying for the service.
Requests can be made at extime.almaty@tav.aero. The call center for domestic flights operates around the clock: +7 727 357 46 79.
Earlier, Kursiv reported that on September 24, during the Khazar Korgany – 2026 exercises, 17 servicemen were swept into the open sea in bad weather. As a result, 14 people died and three were rescued.
A government commission headed by Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev has been created to investigate the causes of the emergency. A criminal case opened under articles on negligence and violation of navigation rules is under special supervision of the Prosecutor General's Office.
Five officers of the Ministry of Defense of Kazakhstan have been detained in the case of the servicemen's deaths.
September 25 has been declared a day of national mourning.