Air Astana remains on course to pursue US operations as Kazakhstan undergoes a Federal Aviation Administration safety assessment this week in a key step toward possible direct flights. The review runs until Friday and includes a technical visit to Air Astana in Astana on Thursday, while the airline has already applied to the US Department of Transportation for permission to conduct commercial operations.
The FAA assessment focuses on Kazakhstan’s aviation oversight system rather than Air Astana as an operator, and the visit is intended to verify information provided by the country’s aviation authorities. A favourable outcome would help Kazakhstan move towards the oversight rating needed for airlines to launch US service, but it would not by itself authorise flights. Separate US transport approval is still required before any route can begin.
Kazakhstan has been preparing for the review for some time, with officials framing it as part of the broader push to open direct air links with the US. Air Astana has previously pointed to eventual transatlantic service, although no launch date has been set. For now, the immediate focus is on the audit, the follow-up briefing and the written report expected from the FAA after the process ends.