There is a lovely new Runway in Atyrau built by those nice people from Schiphol Airport. It's not open yet, but they have also upgraded the ramp area. Air Astana operate B752 on a regular basis to both Atyrau and Uralsk (Astreaus used to operate a B733 into Uralsk, via CPH on the way back).
Also a new Marriott Hotel is being built in Atyrau right next to the Mosque. Marriott have also built a new hotel in Aktau (though I believe it is not open yet).
BTW the Kazakh Government recided the law for all International Flights to operate via Astana.
Poka