The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) conducted an International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) in Kazakhstan from September 21 to 25, 2026. FAA experts reviewed Kazakhstan's aviation legislation, regulations, and the ability of its aviation authorities to oversee flight safety in line with ICAO standards.
Kazakhstan's Civil Aviation Administration described the assessment as "a positive and mutually beneficial experience for all organizations involved." For their part, FAA experts noted that Kazakhstani aviation authorities had "done substantial work" and demonstrated "political will and progress."
During the visit, on September 24, FAA experts also visited Air Astana in Astana regarding the airline's application for commercial authorization from the US Department of Transportation — a separate meeting, not part of the inspection itself.
Next steps: the FAA will issue an official notification to Kazakhstan's aviation authorities, hold final consultations on any necessary corrective measures, and determine the final rating — Category 1 (CAT 1), recognizing that the oversight system meets applicable ICAO standards.
Achieving Category 1 status does not automatically permit flights — airlines will still need to complete additional US regulatory procedures.