On September 21, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) began in Kazakhstan and will run until September 25, Vlast.kz reports.
The inspection aims to determine the compliance of the state's civil aviation oversight system with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.
According to the Civil Aviation Committee of the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the commission is reviewing the country's regulatory framework and the state's ability to implement oversight of eight critical safety elements.
The inspection team included international experts in aviation law, personnel licensing, airworthiness, and aircraft operations. This inspection is a continuation of the IASA preliminary technical review conducted in August 2024.
Successful completion of the IASA audit is a critical requirement for Kazakhstan to obtain FAA Category 1 status, without which the launch of direct commercial flights to the United States is legally impossible.
The opening of a nonstop transatlantic route will eliminate transit through third countries, reduce travel time, and stimulate investment.
Furthermore, assigning the highest category will confirm the reliability of the national oversight system, strengthening Kazakhstan's status as a key aviation hub in Central Asia.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
September 21, 2026