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Aviation

Kyrgyzstan Says It’s Close to Being Removed from EU Flight Ban

A delegation from Kyrgyzstan’s Civil Aviation Agency will meet European officials in Brussels next month, marking another step in the campaign to end a two-decade ban on Kyrgyz airlines operating in the European Union because of safety concerns. The October 7 meeting will be followed by a final European audit in December as Kyrgyzstan moves into the last stage of being removed from the EU’s so-called “blacklist” of air carriers, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov said last week during the re-opening of two of the country’s airports, Naryn and Kazarman. "Thus, we firmly believe that the European skies, which have been closed since 2006, will reopen for Kyrgyzstan,” said Japarov, who predicted that the possible removal of the ban would boost international tourism in the Central Asian country. Kanat Tologonov, deputy director of Kyrgyzstan’s Civil Aviation Agency, said this week that European officials will decide on whether to lift the air ban on Kyrgyzstan in May 2026, according to the 24.kg news agency. Speaking to a parliamentary committee on budget and fiscal policy, Tologonov said Kyrgyzstan successfully passed 2023-2024 audits of the International Civil Aviation Organization, a U.N. agency that oversees safety and other aspects of air travel. As Kyrgyzstan’s bid to regain access to EU skies gains momentum, civil aviation chief Daniyar Bostonov met representatives of the International Air Transport Association this week to discuss upgrading air navigation and the digitization of passenger and air cargo transportation. The EU Air Safety List is a list of air carriers that it says do not fulfil international safety standards and it bars those airlines “from operating to, in and from the EU, including the overflight.” Sixteen carriers from Kyrgyzstan are on the list, out of a total of 169 banned airlines, according to a June update. The EU barred Kyrgyzstan because of inadequate regulation in the aviation sector and failure to comply with international safety standards. Civil aviation has been developing in some other parts of Central Asia, including Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.

Bilateral Relations

Uzbekistan and United States Leaders Discuss Expanding Strategic Partnership

According to the office of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the Uzbek and U.S. presidents held a telephone conversation on Friday, focusing on ways to deepen their countries’ strategic partnership across economic, security, and cultural fields. The details of the call were provided by the Uzbek president’s office. Strengthening Economic Ties The presidential office reported that both leaders emphasized opportunities to expand trade and investment. Bilateral trade grew by 15% in 2024, and the two sides signaled interest in building on that momentum. Prospective projects span civil aviation, mineral resources, energy, agriculture, digital technologies, finance, and education. Later this month, meetings are expected between Uzbek representatives and leading U.S. companies to explore long-term cooperation. Security and Regional Cooperation According to the statement, security issues also featured prominently in the conversation. The two presidents noted ongoing joint work against terrorism, extremism, and illegal migration. They also exchanged views on regional cooperation in Central Asia, highlighting the role of the “C5+1” dialogue format that brings together the United States and five Central Asian countries. Cultural and Humanitarian Exchanges The Uzbek president’s office noted that the discussion touched on expanding cultural and educational links. Branches of U.S. universities are operating in Tashkent, providing new opportunities for academic exchange. Looking ahead, the leaders noted with satisfaction that Uzbekistan’s national football team will participate for the first time in the 2026 World Cup, which the United States will be the main host of. A Growing Partnership Since Mirziyoyev assumed the presidency in 2016, Uzbekistan has pursued a more open foreign policy and a program of internal reforms aimed at modernizing the economy and improving governance. These changes have created new opportunities for cooperation with Washington. The United States, for its part, has supported regional initiatives through the C5+1 framework, while also seeking closer ties with Tashkent in areas such as counterterrorism, economic development, and education. American universities and companies have increased their presence in Uzbekistan, and cultural exchanges have expanded steadily in recent years. Next Steps The president’s office stated that President Mirziyoyev invited President Trump to pay an official visit to Uzbekistan. Both leaders agreed to maintain high-level contacts and continue advancing joint projects and programs. According to the Uzbek president’s office, the conversation was held in a constructive and friendly atmosphere, underscoring a shared interest in further strengthening Uzbek-American relations.

Aircraft

Third Canadian-Manufactured Aircraft for Asman Airlines Arrives in Kyrgyzstan

On September 2, the third Dash 8 Q400 aircraft for Kyrgyzstan’s state-owned Asman Airlines arrived at Manas International Airport in Bishkek, according to JSC Airports of Kyrgyzstan. The Dash 8 Q400, manufactured in Canada, is a short-haul turboprop aircraft designed to carry up to 80 passengers over distances of up to 2,000 kilometers. Its specifications make it well-suited for domestic flights in Kyrgyzstan, where mountainous terrain and underdeveloped road infrastructure pose challenges to ground transportation. Asman Airlines has recently restored domestic air connections between Bishkek and remote regional centers, including Talas, Karakol, Kerben, and Kazarman. The arrival of the third short-haul aircraft will allow the airline to expand its route network and improve accessibility and affordability of air travel for residents across the country. The first Dash 8 Q400 entered service in September 2024, followed by a second aircraft in November of the same year. The addition of the third aircraft further enhances Asman Airlines’ ability to meet growing demand for domestic travel. Looking ahead, the airline is considering the acquisition of larger aircraft such as the Airbus A320/A321 and Boeing 737, which would enable the launch of international flights. Kyrgyzstan is currently experiencing growth in both domestic and international passenger traffic. Speaking at the reopening ceremony of Kazarman Airport in the southern Jalal-Abad Region in August, President Sadyr Japarov noted that since 2021, passenger traffic has increased by 46%, while the number of flights has risen by 31%. The expansion of Kyrgyzstan’s air fleet is part of a broader national strategy to modernize the country’s aviation infrastructure. Construction of a new terminal complex at Osh International Airport began in February 2025, while Karakol International Airport and Talas Airport have already reopened. Renovation projects are also underway at Issyk-Kul International Airport and Naryn Airport.

Rescue Services

‘Orange Angels’: Aviators of Eastern Kazakhstan Fly Daily Rescue Missions

When there is no help left on the ground, they take to the skies: orange fuselages, the roar of propellers, and salvation descending from above. The Aviation Division of the East Kazakhstan Region - the 'Orange Angels' - is more than a state enterprise; it is a vital lifeline, operating when every minute counts. No Margin For Error Since its founding in 2003, the division has become an indispensable part of the region’s emergency response system. Its 114 full-time specialists conduct medical flights, firefighting operations, evacuations, and rescues. Yet staffing remains a challenge. "We are short 12-13 personnel. Ideally, we should have around 120," Kalikan Baigonusov, Director of the East Kazakhstan Aviation Division, told The Times of Central Asia. “Young people prefer big airlines, foreign skies, and big paychecks. Our salaries are decent, between $1,300 and $2,900, but the profession lacks visibility and appeal. It’s a calling, not just a job.” [caption id="attachment_35346" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Image: TCA[/caption] Baigonusov hopes more young people will be drawn to aviation through education. His division is now organizing practical MI-2 helicopter training for students from the Civil Aviation Academy JSC. There is also close cooperation with the East Kazakhstan Multidisciplinary College, which, with support from the regional governor, launched new specialties in aviation engineering and mechanics on September 1, 2024. Therein, students undergo practical training with the air squadron, learning directly from experienced pilots and engineers. Still, Baigonusov believes Kazakhstan’s personnel training system needs urgent reform. "I’ve knocked on every door, the academy, the rector, the department head," he told TCA. "We need to train our people locally. Sending a student to Russia costs $47,000. That’s simply out of reach. We need to promote dual education here, so people can study and work at home.” Many of the division’s specialists are graduates of now-diminished Soviet-era aviation schools in Kachinsk, Omsk, Kyiv, and Riga. Each year, their ranks grow thinner. Engineering, Maintenance, and a Race Against Time Despite operating from aging facilities built in the 1970s and 1980s, the team is working to modernize and extend the lifespan of its equipment. The aircraft fleet, averaging 35 years in age, has undergone extensive inspections and upgrades. Standardization tests have been passed, and all certifications are in place. Thanks to the expertise of the engineering team, the division recently secured certification for maintaining YAK-40 and YAK-42 aircraft and Mi-8 and Mi-2 helicopters. [caption id="attachment_35348" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Image: TCA[/caption] “Before, we relied on outside companies for repairs. Now we do everything ourselves,” says Baigonusov. “That saves time and money and makes us more self-reliant.” Deputy for the Engineering and Aviation Service (IAS) Lobanov leads a team dedicated to his work, although he, like many in the unit, is already over 55. Baigonusov is determined to attract the younger generation. “We need to show how important and beautiful this profession is. It's demanding, but it’s also deeply meaningful.” Rescuing the Stranded in Kalbatau Chief pilot Denis Grunsky recalled one of the most dramatic missions of his career to TCA....

Airport

German Firm to Build New Cargo and Passenger Airport in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister, Olzhas Bektenov, has met with Dr. Christine Grötzbach, board member and co-founder of the German aviation company Skyhansa, to finalize the construction timeline for a new cargo and passenger airport in the Zhetysu region. The first phase of the project is expected to be completed by 2027. The facility will be built within the Khorgos - Eastern Gate special economic zone (SEZ), located on Kazakhstan’s border with China. The project envisions the creation of a multifunctional aviation hub designed to meet ICAO international standards and will be developed in phases, according to a government announcement. The initiative is being carried out under a framework agreement between Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport and the Kazakh-German consortium Skyhansa. On the German side, the project is led by the Hansa Consortium, an aviation infrastructure specialist, while the Kazakh side is represented by Skymax Technologies, a regional logistics and infrastructure operator active in Central Asia and the Caucasus. The total investment in the airport project is projected at $500 million. Dr. Grötzbach emphasized that the vision extends far beyond a standard airport facility. “We are creating not just an airport, but a comprehensive infrastructure: cargo and passenger terminals, a fuel and refueling complex, an aviation technical center, a business center, and hotels,” she stated. “Its strategic location near China, combined with access to rail and road transport, positions it as a key logistics node on the New Silk Road.” Bektenov echoed this sentiment, stating that the project will significantly enhance Kazakhstan’s transport and logistics capabilities. “The implementation of this project will give a powerful impetus to the development of transport infrastructure and reinforce Kazakhstan’s role as a bridge between China, Central Asia, and Europe,” he said. This announcement follows a similar initiative by Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport, which recently signed an investment agreement with Terminals Astana Airport Limited, a subsidiary of a UAE-based holding company. That project involves a $1.1 billion investment in the development of the Astana Aerotropolis, as reported by The Times of Central Asia.

Aviation

Kyrgyzstan’s Aviation Authorities Await Removal from EU Blacklist

Kyrgyzstan’s State Civil Aviation Agency has announced that auditors from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) will visit the country on March 9 to assess the possibility of lifting the EU’s long-standing flight ban on Kyrgyz airlines. Kyrgyz airlines have been on the EU’s aviation blacklist since 2006, with repeated but unsuccessful attempts by the country’s authorities to resolve the issue. The EU has cited multiple concerns, including shortcomings in Kyrgyzstan’s aviation legislation, inadequate inspector training, and a lack of flight crew development programs. The aging aircraft fleet has also been a key factor in maintaining the ban. Over the past two years, Kyrgyzstan has undergone two separate aviation audits, one focused on flight safety and another on aviation security. “Flight safety covers everything related to flight operations, while aviation security deals with protecting airports and aircraft from illegal interference,” explained Daniyar Bostonov, director of the State Civil Aviation Agency. According to Bostonov, Kyrgyzstan has been working since 2017 to meet all EU requirements. Hundreds of industry documents have been translated into English to demonstrate transparency and regulatory compliance. Bostonov believes the country now meets international aviation standards, and a final decision on Kyrgyzstan’s removal from the blacklist is expected in November 2025 at a meeting of the European Parliament’s Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN). “The question is no longer whether we will be removed from the EU blacklist - it is a certainty. We may just need to submit some additional documents to the European Parliament,” Bostonov stated. If the ban is lifted, Kyrgyzstan will be able to resume direct flights to the European Union and gain access to more favorable aircraft leasing agreements. “For example, if an Airbus aircraft is sold for $1,000, that price remains the same for non-blacklisted countries. However, if it is delivered to a blacklisted state, the price can drop to $800, which discourages investors,” Bostonov explained. Further supporting the possibility of removal from the blacklist, Manas International Airport recently became a member of ACI Europe, an organization representing over 500 airports across the continent.