FAA Begins Aviation Safety Assessment in Kazakhstan
A team of experts from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) began an International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) in Kazakhstan on Sept. 21 as the country continues efforts to establish direct air connectivity with the United States.
The assessment will run through Sept. 25 and focuses on Kazakhstan’s state aviation safety oversight system. The work is being carried out by the Ministry of Transport, the Civil Aviation Committee, the Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan (AAK) and Kazakhstan’s Embassy in the United States, according to the committee’s press service.
Ahead of the assessment, Deputy Minister of Transport Talgat Lastayev met with the visiting FAA experts. The sides discussed the assessment and further cooperation aimed at strengthening aviation safety oversight and developing international air services between Kazakhstan and the United States.
The IASA will examine whether Kazakhstan’s aviation authorities comply with applicable International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards and recommended practices in areas including personnel licensing, international commercial air transport operations and aircraft airworthiness.
FAA experts will review Kazakhstan’s aviation legislation and regulatory framework, as well as the country’s capacity to provide effective safety oversight based on the eight critical elements of an ICAO state safety oversight system.
The assessment team includes specialists in international aviation law, aviation personnel licensing, aircraft airworthiness and flight operations. Its findings will provide an assessment of Kazakhstan’s aviation safety oversight framework as the country works to strengthen regulatory cooperation and advance prospects for direct air services to the U.S.
