The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and Astana International Airport signed a management services agreement (Management Service Agreement). The signing took place on 20 October 2026, on the first day of ICAO Aviation Security Week in Astana, during a ceremony confirming partnership and commitments.
What is known
The parties are ICAO and Astana International Airport. The subject of the agreement, its term, cost, scope of services and the parties' obligations have not been disclosed. The signatories' names were not given in the reports.
The name of the agreement does not mean a transfer of airport management or a concession. The reports do not say so.
Where it was signed
ICAO Aviation Security Week is held in Astana for the first time in Kazakhstan: three days, through 22 October, at the Palace of Independence, under ICAO's auspices with the support of Kazakhstan's Ministry of Transport. Aviation authorities of 62 countries, regulators, international organisations, airports, airlines and experts are taking part. Topics include cybersecurity, cargo and mail security, flights over armed conflict zones and countering the misuse of unmanned systems.
On the opening day, the United States announced its intention to financially support ICAO's Aviation Security Programme. This is a separate statement and does not relate to the agreement with Astana airport. Kazakhstan was named among the 20 leading states in compliance with ICAO standards, with a score of 95.7%.
Our assessment: signing an agreement with an international organisation at the forum gives Astana airport additional institutional weight, but its practical meaning can be judged only once the subject of the services is disclosed. This is flycentralasia's conclusion, not a statement by ICAO or Astana airport.
What businesses can do. Airport operators and consultants in the region can watch for disclosure of the agreement's content and possible programmes with ICAO. Providers of aviation security services and training can take into account that Astana is positioning itself as a venue for ICAO events and projects.