BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 27.
Kazakhstan’s Aviation Administration and representatives of the
U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA), led by Executive
Director for Aviation and International Policy Eric Yatar,
discussed aviation security cooperation and the requirements for
launching direct flights between Kazakhstan and the United States,
according to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport.


The meeting was held in Astana as part of the 2026
ICAO Aviation Security Week.


One of the main topics was the aviation security
requirements that a Kazakh airline must meet before beginning
flights to the United States. The parties discussed Air Astana’s
aviation security program and cooperation with the TSA.


The U.S. side outlined the main stages of the
process, including reviewing the airline’s aviation security
program, checking whether passenger data systems are compatible
with the TSA’s Secure Flight system, and conducting an aviation
security assessment at the airport before flights begin. The
process also involves coordination with the U.S. Department of
Transportation and compliance with relevant Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) procedures.


The parties also discussed the results of a
preliminary airport assessment and the TSA’s recommendations. They
emphasized the importance of timely information exchange and
coordination between experts.


Kazakhstan expressed interest in studying the U.S.
national aviation security system, including its legislation,
regulatory documents, and TSA practices, to improve national
requirements and strengthen oversight in this area.







TSA representatives said they were ready to provide a
structured overview of the U.S. aviation security regulatory
framework. They also noted that specific questions could be
addressed through the agency’s regional representatives and
relevant units.


The meeting also covered cooperation in air cargo
security and supply chains. The parties noted that exchanging
experience and maintaining expert-level contacts could help
strengthen civil aviation security.


Both sides expressed satisfaction with their existing
cooperation, including working visits by TSA specialists to
Kazakhstan and the participation of Kazakh representatives in
relevant events in the United States.


The U.S. delegation thanked the Kazakh side for
organizing ICAO Aviation Security Week and for the bilateral
discussions.


The parties expressed their readiness to continue
cooperating on the completion of the necessary security procedures,
the exchange of best practices, and efforts to establish direct air
services between Kazakhstan and the United States.