In a statement June 4, Malaysia Airports said the decision was made in view that the expertise, knowledge and experience garnered by Astana International Airport from working with Malaysia Airports have enabled Astana International Airport to manage and operate the airport independently.
"During this period of two years under the TMA, Astana International Airport, the second largest international airport in Kazakhstan, has significantly improved its performance," it said.
"The airport's passenger traffic of 1,316,945 in 2008 increased by 12.7% from 2007. Cargo movement recorded a growth of 10.34% in 2008 to 5,217 tonnes, while aircraft movements showed an increase of 2.25% to 21,839."
Under the TMA, Malaysia Airports provided assistance in auditing the Astana International Airport's financial system and controls in order to determine areas for improvement.
Malaysia Airports Security Managers also conducted an audit on the airport security systems and facilities, it said.
"Staff from Astana International Airport have attended trainings on Routes Utilisation and Networking with the Marketing Division of Malaysia Airports. They also participated in the World Routes 2008 Conference in Kuala Lumpur in October 2008.
"These are among some of the major initiatives that were undertaken to ensure the transfer of knowledge and technology between both parties," said Malaysia Airports.
Malaysia Airports said the most notable success was the airport receiving an award for "The Best Airport of Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in 2007 — for the category of passenger traffic of more than one million passengers per year" in May 2008 from the Association "Airport of Civil Aviation" which is based in Moscow.
"This increase in passenger traffic and the award received by Astana International Airport provide evidence that Malaysia Airports has met the objectives of the TMA in increasing the international traffic and in upgrading the operational standards at Astana International Airport up to international benchmark," it said.
Malaysia Airports said it had fulfilled the requirements of the TMA, which included reviewing and auditing of the existing airport operations to increase efficiency and planning for future expansion of the airport, preparation of the airport business plan and providing personnel to assist and support on matters related to airport services.
It had assigned three staff, who were stationed at Astana International Airport to assist in operation, technical and financial matters of the airport.
Malaysia Airports entered into the TMA through its wholly-owned subsidiary Malaysia Airports Management & Technical Services (Labuan) Private Limited (MAMTS Labuan), to carry out the operation, management and maintenance of the Astana International Airport, Kazakhstan in April 2007.
Currently, Malaysia Airports' other overseas ventures comprise the operations and management of the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi and the Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport in Turkey.