On 7 October 2026, the MRO Central Asia conference and exhibition opened in Astana. Kazakhstan's Vice Minister of Transport Talgat Lastayev opened the first session on the Kazakhstan-UK aviation partnership. Topics included developing MRO capabilities, technical expertise and long-term industry partnerships. UK Minister of State Anas Sarwar, Rolls-Royce Senior Vice-President Omar Ali Adib and Airbus Vice President Charbel Youzkatli took part.
In-house capacity. Robert Dando, Director of Astana Technical Centre and C-Check Maintenance at Air Astana, presented the airline's approach to building in-house technical capabilities and regional partnerships. According to the session description, a national MRO ecosystem can improve aircraft availability, develop specialised skills and reduce reliance on external support. Baudry Thierry, Airbus Head of Airline and MRO Operations Consulting, spoke on opportunities and challenges for the sector.
Parts and materials. Air Astana presented its approach to technical material planning and logistics, FL Technics spoke about scaling its wheels and brakes exchange pool network, and AJW Group about component supply and aftermarket support. Norm Teknik examined the risks around hangar protection.
Engines. Lufthansa Consulting analysed the technical and commercial challenges of modern engines and ways to address them through maintenance planning and data-driven decisions.
Skills and funding. Acron Aviation presented flight training devices and virtual maintenance trainers, and the AIFC Aviation Finance Hub and UK Export Finance spoke on aviation financing, including equipment procurement.
At the end of the day, organiser ATO Comm and AIFC signed a memorandum of cooperation on developing Central Asia's aviation and MRO sectors. Day two covers MRO innovation, sustainability, composite repairs, SAF and strategic MRO development.
What changes: Kazakhstan is discussing MRO as a system in which an airline's in-house capacity, OEM support, parts supply, skills and financing have to work together.