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Civil Aviation

Iran War Quietly Raises the Strategic Value of Central Asian Airspace

The war in Iran has disrupted one of the main aviation corridors linking Europe and Asia. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued safety bulletins warning of high risk to civilian aircraft in Iranian airspace and surrounding regions affected by military activity, missile launches, interceptions, and air defense operations. A separate EASA bulletin covering Iran, valid through March 31, describes a high risk to civil flights at all altitudes within the Tehran flight information region. The consequences reach far beyond the Middle East. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, most Western airlines have been unable to use Russian airspace. With Iranian airspace now considered unsafe for normal commercial transit, the map for long-haul traffic between Europe and Asia has become extremely tight. Reuters mapping of global flight paths shows airlines diverting north via the Caucasus or taking longer southern routes through the eastern Mediterranean and the Arabian Peninsula. Many passengers traveling between Europe and Asia still transit through Gulf hubs. However, airports across the region, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Kuwait, and Bahrain, have faced disruption and unstable schedules during the conflict. Central Asia sits just beyond that northern bypass. It is not replacing the Gulf as a passenger hub, and is not suddenly becoming the main bridge between Europe and Asia, but the region’s airspace is increasingly strategically valuable as the number of efficient alternatives shrinks. The war has made Central Asia more important as part of a wider arc stretching from Turkey and the Caucasus across the Caspian basin and onward toward South and East Asia. [caption id="attachment_45218" align="aligncenter" width="1290"] Live flight-tracking map (image taken at 840am EST) showing aircraft routes avoiding Iranian airspace during the crisis. Many flights between Europe, the Middle East, and South Asia are being diverted north over the Caspian Sea and across Central Asia instead of flying over Iran; source: Planes Live[/caption] Kazakhstan is the clearest example. Local airlines had already begun to adjust before the current escalation reached its present level. In January, The Times of Central Asia reported that Air Astana had rerouted flights to Sharm el-Sheikh, Dubai, Doha, and Medina to avoid Iranian airspace. After the conflict widened, Air Astana canceled flights to several Middle Eastern destinations following the closure of Iranian airspace and rising regional tensions. Kazakhstan also imposed a temporary ban on flights over or near the airspace of Iran, Israel, Syria, Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon. Uzbekistan also moved quickly. As early as October 2024, Kun.uz reported that Uzbekistan Airways was avoiding Iraqi airspace and western Iranian airspace on safety grounds. After the latest escalation, on March 4, Uzbekistan suspended flights to six Middle Eastern countries. The pattern is clear: Central Asian carriers are not immune to the crisis; they are already adjusting networks, schedules, and commercial risk, with the broader economic consequences of the conflict emerging across regional supply chains. However, the region’s aviation systems clearly now carry far greater strategic and economic importance than they did only a few years ago. On its...

Civil Aviation

Kyrgyzstan Signs Deal to Acquire Two Airbus A321 Aircraft

Kyrgyzstan has signed an agreement to acquire two Airbus A321ceo aircraft as part of efforts to expand the country’s civil aviation sector and launch new international routes. The signing ceremony took place on March 5 in Bishkek, where the agreement was signed by Manasbek Samidinov, chairman of the board of Airports of Kyrgyzstan OJSC, and Maurice Prendergast, senior vice president of BBAM Aircraft Leasing & Management. The event was attended by Johan Pelissier, president of Airbus Europe, and Kyrgyz Prime Minister Adylbek Kasymaliev. According to the agreement, the aircraft will be delivered to Kyrgyzstan by the end of 2026. They are intended for the state-owned carrier Asman Airlines, a subsidiary of Airports of Kyrgyzstan. The new aircraft are expected to support the launch of international flights and improve operational capacity. Asman Airlines currently operates three Dash 8 Q400 aircraft, Canadian-made short-haul turboprop planes capable of carrying up to 80 passengers over distances of up to 2,000 kilometers. These aircraft serve domestic routes across Kyrgyzstan after the airline recently restored air connections between Bishkek and several remote regional centers. Speaking at the ceremony, Kasymaliev said that the acquisition of modern and efficient aircraft would help raise Kyrgyzstan’s civil aviation sector to a new level of development. He added that between 2021 and 2025 the number of passengers served at Kyrgyzstan’s airports on domestic and international routes increased by 52%, while the number of flights rose by 53%. Kasymaliev also noted that audits conducted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in 2023-2024 confirmed that Kyrgyzstan’s aviation system complies with international standards. According to the latest audit, the aviation security compliance rate reached 85.76%, a significant improvement compared with previous results. “These achievements create the necessary conditions for Kyrgyzstan to be removed from the European Union’s aviation safety blacklist,” the prime minister said, adding that the final audit by the European Commission is expected in the coming days. Later the same day, President Sadyr Japarov met with Johan Pelissier and Maurice Prendergast to discuss the development of Kyrgyzstan’s aviation sector. During the meeting, Japarov highlighted the rapid modernization of airport infrastructure and the expansion of domestic air routes. While previously only four airports in the country were fully operational, all 11 airports in Kyrgyzstan are now functioning. Construction of a new international airport in Jalal-Abad is also underway. The president also confirmed that Kyrgyzstan is in the final stage of the process to be removed from the European Union’s aviation safety blacklist, with the final inspection expected later this month.

Drones

Kyrgyzstan Tests Technologies for Tracking Civilian Drones

Kyrgyz authorities are evaluating new technological solutions to monitor and control civilian drone flights. A Romanian company recently presented its Argonian UTM and Drone Detection service to the State Agency for Civil Aviation of Kyrgyzstan. The system is designed to determine the location of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and track their flight parameters. According to the agency, company representatives delivered a detailed presentation outlining the system’s operating principles and technical capabilities. Officials expressed particular interest in functions related to UAV detection and real-time monitoring of key flight parameters. Following the presentation, a practical demonstration was conducted in an urban area of Bishkek. Four drones were launched simultaneously from different locations in the capital. The system reportedly recorded take-off points, altitude, and flight speed in real time, and mapped the flight paths of each device. In addition, the Argonian UTM system identified the location of one drone operator, indicating that the device was being controlled from a moving vehicle. The data was shown to participants at the meeting and said to correspond with the drones’ actual flight parameters. The State Agency for Civil Aviation stated that the solution “ensures effective detection of unmanned aerial vehicles, enables real-time monitoring of key flight parameters, and is of practical interest for improving UAV operational safety.” Agency representatives described the presentation as positively received, adding that the potential acquisition of the system will be considered as part of broader efforts to enhance drone flight safety and introduce new technical solutions in the country. Interest in such technologies is increasing amid tighter regulation of UAV operations. Since the beginning of 2026, a new law has required drone owners in Kyrgyzstan to register with the State Agency for Civil Aviation and undergo a medical examination by a psychiatrist. UAV operations are now permitted only with a one-time authorization or an annual permit issued by state authorities.

Aviation

Kazakhstan Expands Airbus Ties and Strengthens French Aviation Cooperation

Kazakhstan is strengthening its cooperation with European aerospace firms and preparing to modernize its civil aviation fleet. In Paris, during the Kazakh-French Business Council and the 16th Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation, a memorandum was signed for the delivery of Airbus A320neo aircraft. The document was signed by Talgat Lastayev, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Minister of Transport. The agreement provides for the delivery of 25 A320neo aircraft, with an option to expand the order by another 25 units. The A320neo is an upgraded version of the widely used narrow-body Airbus A320. The abbreviation “neo” (New Engine Option) refers to its modern engines, which reduce fuel consumption by 15% and operating costs by 8%. The aircraft also offers a 10% reduction in emissions and lower noise levels compared to the classic A320 series. “During the meeting between Talgat Lastayev and Airbus Vice President Charbel Youzkatli, the delivery schedule, currently set for 2031 and the possibility of acceleration were discussed. In addition,. In addition, the Deputy Minister raised the issue of establishing a joint aviation training center and expanding aircraft leasing cooperation,” the Ministry of Transport said in a statement. Additional areas of cooperation with international partners were also discussed. These included airport infrastructure upgrades with TAV Airports and expanded industrial collaboration with Alstom. The delegation also raised the restoration of direct flights between Paris and Astana and the potential launch of a new route between Shymkent and Nice. The Kazakh delegation, led by Lastayev, also met with the leadership of the French National Civil Aviation School (ENAC), including Director-General Olivier Chansou and Deputy Director General Nicolas Cazalis. Talks centered on creating a European-level regional aviation training center in Astana, which is expected to become a key piece of infrastructure for training aviation professionals across Central Asia. “The presence of such a training center in Kazakhstan will reduce the sector’s dependence on foreign training institutions and ensure the development of skilled professionals domestically. Cooperation will focus on the systematic training of local personnel and the exchange of international experience,” the Ministry stated. According to the Ministry of Transport, Kazakhstan’s aviation industry needs 500-600 new specialists each year, including pilots, engineers, air traffic controllers, and ground handling personnel. However, the country’s current training institutions do not meet the European standards set by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). ENAC is the only aviation education institution globally that meets the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), EASA, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and Airports Council International (ACI). Founded in 1946 in Toulouse, the school now partners with over 117 countries and offers more than 350 educational and professional development programs. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan is actively expanding its international air routes. Following the C5+1 working group conference on civil aviation held in August this year, new international routes were launched and flight frequencies to China and Uzbekistan increased.

Civil Aviation

Kazakhstan Boosts Air Transport Sector with New Fleet and Airport Revamps

Kazakhstan is set to double its civil aircraft fleet over the next five years, increasing the number of aircraft from 103 to 216 by 2030. According to the Ministry of Transport, in 2025 the country's fleet will add six new Airbus A320s and one Boeing 737 MAX 8. In January 2025, FlyArystan and Air Astana received new aircraft as part of this expansion. The government’s long-term plan aims to boost the number of aircraft operated by Kazakh airlines to 216 by the end of the decade. “This year, 36 new international routes have been launched, and eight foreign airlines have entered the market. There are currently 61 domestic routes with 850 flights per week,” said Deputy Minister of Transport Maksat Kaliakparov. As part of domestic connectivity efforts, 21 subsidized routes are now operating across nine regions, with approximately $12 million allocated for these services in 2025. The government’s priority is to improve air access to tourist destinations such as Usharal, Urdar, Kokshetau, and Turkestan. Airport Infrastructure Development Major investments are also being channeled into the country’s largest airports in Astana, Almaty, Shymkent, and Aktobe, all of which are being developed into multimodal transport hubs. In Astana, a $1.1 billion modernization project for Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport began in 2025. Plans include the construction of a second runway, a third passenger and cargo terminal, and a multifunctional complex known as the Aerotropolis. The new facility will feature an industrial and logistics zone, business centers, hotels, and retail space. In Almaty, the airport is undergoing modernization in line with a General Development Plan extending to 2050. The initial phase includes reconstructing the domestic terminal, building a taxiway, upgrading the runway and fueling infrastructure, and establishing a cargo apron and maintenance hangar. Future phases envision a hotel and a multi-level parking facility. During the construction phase, more than 1,800 jobs are expected to be created, with an additional 550 jobs during operations. Shymkent opened a new 40,000 square-meter terminal in December 2024, boosting its annual passenger capacity from 800,000 to 6 million. Plans are underway to construct a new 3,500-meter runway and develop a multimodal hub connecting the airport with the Ontustik Special Economic Zone. In Aktobe, a multifunctional logistics center is being implemented at the airport. As part of this effort, the fuel filling complex is being upgraded, and storage capacity will more than double, facilitating an increase in flight operations. Authorities are also considering the construction of a second runway, which would allow the existing runway to undergo major repairs without disrupting service. “In addition, the government has decided to expand the boundaries of special economic zones at the country's largest airports. This will attract investors, develop industry and logistics, and turn Kazakhstan's air hubs into growth points for the national economy,” the government said in a statement. Foreign Investment and Regional Expansion As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, the German company Skyhansa intends to construct a new cargo and passenger airport in Kazakhstan’s Zhetysu region. The project...

Civil Aviation

Kazakhstan Grounds Light Aircraft Following Two Fatal Crashes

Kazakhstan’s Civil Aviation Committee, working alongside the Aviation Administration, has temporarily suspended flights of TL-2000 and Aerostar R40F light aircraft following two fatal crashes near Astana in recent months. The suspensions are intended to allow for thorough investigations of both incidents. On June 22, 2025, a privately owned TL-2000 light aircraft crashed during a training flight near Zholaman Airfield, resulting in the deaths of both people on board. The accident occurred at approximately 11:30 a.m. A special investigation commission was established by the Ministry of Transport to determine the cause. On August 17, 2025, an Aerostar R40F (registration UP-LA229) crashed during a general aviation flight about 55 kilometers from Astana in the Akmola region. The crash resulted in the death of both the pilot and passenger. A commission was dispatched by the Ministry of Transport’s accident investigation department to the crash site, including representatives from the Transport Police and regional authorities. Transport Minister Nurlan Sauranbayev confirmed that each incident is being investigated independently, and that both aircraft models will remain grounded until the investigations conclude. The Civil Aviation Committee, in collaboration with the Aviation Administration, has suspended flights of both TL-2000 and Aerostar R40F aircraft models pending investigation results. The investigation into the June TL-2000 crash is ongoing, with final conclusions expected before the end of 2025.