Almaty Airport to expand parking area. Reconstruction will be fully completed in June 2025.
More details in the following article:
On March 4-5, 2025, Almaty will host a significant international event — the ICAO EUR/NAT Regional Workshop on Gender Equality and Empowering Women in Aviation.
The event will be opened by Nicolas Rallo, the ICAO EUR/NAT Regional Director the International Civil Aviation Organization, which includes 56 States in the region (out of 193 ICAO member countries).
The ICAO EUR/NAT Workshop is focused on addressing gender equality issues in aviation by creating equal opportunities and supporting a new generation of aviation professionals.
The event will provide an opportunity for sharing best practices and experiences, as well as developing strategies to increase the participation of women in aviation. This will be based on practical cases presented by esteemed world-class experts, who will not only share their vision for solving gender equality issues but also offer valuable recommendations for further applying potential and knowledge in this field.
The workshop’s goal is to strengthen women's rights and provide equal opportunities for career growth and development, contributing to the creation of a more inclusive, efficient, and innovative aviation industry.
ICAO on Gender Equality
Registration
To register as a participant of the seminar, please send an e-mail request to:
Contacts
For any inquiries regarding the seminar, please contact us via email at: genderequality@caa.gov.kz
Dear representatives of the media!
To participate in the event, receive press materials, and access the main sessions, please submit your accreditation requests by email to: press@caa.gov.kz
We look forward to collaborating with you!
Passport and visa requirements in Kazakhstan
Foreign guests enter and leave the Republic of Kazakhstan through checkpoints at the state border using passports or documents replacing them and they should have Kazakhstan visas, if required. You can find out more detailed information about the visa regime for foreign citizens by clicking here.
Visa-free regime:
Citizens of many countries do not require a visa to visit Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. A complete list of visa-free countries can be found on the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan or clarified at the Embassy/Consulate of Kazakhstan in your country.
E-visa:
For citizens of certain countries an electronic visa (e-visa) is available, which can be obtained online. This is a convenient option for those, who planning their trip in advance. More details on Visa-migration portal of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Visa on arrival:
In some cases, for example, for citizens of countries that do not have a visa-free regime and do not have the opportunity to apply for an electronic visa, a visa can be issued upon arrival at Almaty airport. However, it is recommended to clarify this information in advance with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to avoid unforeseen situations.
Money, Exchange Rates
The national currency in Kazakhstan is the tenge (KZT). Goods and services must be paid for in tenge. It's recommended to exchange US dollars, Euros or other currencies at banks or official exchange offices for better rates. ATMs are widely available throughout the city. Bank cards (Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay, American Express) are accepted in most urban areas, but cash is advisable for travel outside cities. Amounts exceeding 10,000 USD must be declared at customs, except for cash from/to Eurasian Customs Union member states. You can always find the current exchange rates by following the link.
Languages in Kazakhstan
The official language of Kazakhstan is Kazakh. Russian is also used in state organizations and local governments, alongside Kazakh. 80-90% of the population is fluent in Russian. Almost all employees of travel agencies, hotels, restaurants and shops in major cities speak English.
Weather in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan has a sharply continental climate, with cold winters (ranging from -4°C to -19°C in January) and hot summers (ranging from +19°C to +26°C in July). The average air temperature in Almaty in March is +3.4°C. According to the forecast, the weather during the seminar is expected to be between +5°C and +7°C, with no precipitation. Light cloud cover is possible. We recommend considering the weather conditions when planning your visit.
Plugs
Kazakhstan uses European standard sockets (C, E, F types) with 220 Volt/50 Hz. Most European travelers (except UK) and travelers from India, Turkey, Tunis won't need adapters. Travelers from the USA, Japan and other countries with different standards should bring adapters. If forgotten, charging points with various plugs are available at major airports. Adapters can also be purchased at electronics stores throughout the city.
The Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) TimurTlegenov presented the letter of credentials to the Secretary General of ICAO Juan Carlos Salazar at ICAO headquarters in Montreal.
The meeting addressed a broad array of issues focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation in civil aviation.
Secretary General Salazar warmly congratulated TimurTlegenov on his new role and extended his deep appreciation to President Kassym-JomartTokayev for establishing Kazakhstan's Permanent Representation to ICAO. Juan Carlos Salazar expressed confidence that this initiative would significantly enhancethe strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and ICAO
The Secretary General also praised Kazakhstan's achievements and influence on the global stage, recognizing its strong relationships with countries and international organizations
He noted"ICAO highly values and commends Kazakhstan's initiatives and its role to enhance flight safety and improve air transport accessibility, viewing them as exemplary."
Kazakhstan’s Permanent Representative conveyed greetings from the country's leadership and expressed strong support for ICAO's initiativesin fostering multifaceted cooperation in civil aviation with Kazakhstan.
TimurTlegenov stated, "Kazakhstan is an active participant in ICAO, and I am convinced that our first-ever permanent mission will further enhance the consistent implementation of Kazakhstan's high standards of flight and aviation safety."He also discussed the current state of Kazakhstan's civil aviation industry, highlighting the key priorities and objectives in this sector.
It is noteworthy that, for the first time, Kazakhstan has appointed an official representative to ICAO, a specialized United Nations agency that sets international standards for civil aviation and coordinates its development to improve safety and efficiency. This appointment, made by decree of the President of Kazakhstan, followed extensive efforts by the Civil Aviation Committee of the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan
In conclusion, both parties reaffirmed their commitment to expanding practical dialogue, highlighting its importance for future cooperation between Kazakhstan and ICAO.
QAZAQ AIR, Kazakhstan's regional airline, has once again been named one of the top three in the Skytrax 2024 World Airline Awards - Best Regional Airline in Central Asia and the CIS.
"We are deeply grateful to our customers in the Central Asia and CIS region for their appreciation of QAZAQ AIR's performance.
Airline users evaluated airline websites, check-in and boarding, cabin cleanliness, flight attendant appearance and service, food quality, seat comfort and many other factors. In this rating we are second only to the national carriers of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, which confirms the high efficiency of our team of professionals. We are constantly working to improve service in regional air travel and strive to increase the freedom of regional travel to the international level", - emphasised Adilbek Umraliyev, Acting Chairman of the Board of QAZAQ AIR JSC.
The World Airline Awards has an unofficial status of "aviation Oscar". Since 1999, it has been awarded annually by the British consulting agency Skytrax, the leading global assessor of airline and airport service quality. Travellers around the world vote in the largest airline passenger satisfaction survey to determine the award winners. All survey and award costs are paid for by Skytrax; airlines pay no entry or registration fees. The online passenger survey was conducted from September 2023 to May 2024 in English, French, Spanish, Russian, Japanese and Chinese. Customers from more than 100 countries participated in the survey and rated the performance of more than 350 airlines.
JSC Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport has successfully passed the first International Ground Handling Safety Audit (ISAGO). It is worth noting that the Astana airport is currently the only airport in Kazakhstan that has this actual ISAGO certificate.
The auditors of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) conducted an audit of the ground handling procedures at the airport, the certificate issued by the association indicates that the airport complies with internationally recognized safety standards, ground handling and recommended international practices.
Thus, the airport demonstrated high quality of service to the airline and passengers, which is confirmed by the successful completion of all 6 possible audit sections, these are: ORM (organization and management); LOD (load control); PAB (passenger and baggage handling); HDL (aircraft handling and loading); AGM (aircraft ground movement) and CGM (cargo and mail handling). The audit requirements consisted of 277 items, which the airport coped with "perfectly".
The Quality control department, the ground handling department, the ground transport division, the apron loaders division, the flight safety inspection, the aviation security, the fire and rescue flight support service, the training center and others took part in this audit.
The advantage of having an ISAGO audit certificate is to confirm a high level of safe ground handling, accident prevention, service quality assurance, as well as the involvement of airlines.
From February 1 to February 3, 2024, the digital forum Digital Almaty 2024 “Industry X: the Digital Evolution of the Future” will be held in Almaty.
The Sixth Forum will bring together government officials from the SCO and EAEU countries, leading experts, and entrepreneurs to exchange ideas aimed at creating a new era of the digital industry. The Forum also includes Industry 4.0 Startup Battle - a large-scale battle for the title of the best industrial startup, an exhibition of Kazakhstan's largest subsoil users, technology parks, and technology companies that will share experience and information about projects in the IT ecosystem.
The Sixth Digital Almaty this year will present an extensive business program that will cover topics of digital transformation in the industry and innovative solutions in the areas of GovTech, Industry 4.0, ESG, Smart City, and others. The panel discussions will feature more than 200 speakers from international experts, industry leaders, and leading innovators in IT and business, who will share successful cases in the application of new technologies in the real sector of the economy and innovation. More than 30 thousand people are expected to attend the three-day digital event.
“The Digital Almaty International Forum annually brings together the world’s leading experts from 15 different countries. This year we will discuss the topic of the digital industry. The main share of GDP production in our country is made up of industry. In the new year, new digital solutions are needed that will help improve business processes in the economic sphere. The forum platform provides ample opportunities for the presentation and discussion of key trends, projects, and technologies in this industry,” said Bagdat Mussin, Minister of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Recognized by world experts, Digital Almaty last year brought together more than 150 speakers who discussed digital mining, public administration, crypto exchanges, cybersecurity, education, and corporate innovation. The forum also became the platform for the first international championship in robotics and engineering projects, the Digital Ministry Cup, for schoolchildren. Winners from Kazakhstan, Russia, and Azerbaijan were selected in four categories. In addition, on the sidelines of the Forum, the Tech Garden Awards were held for the first time, where, based on the results of 2022, enterprises were awarded for the implementation of innovative projects in production processes.
The heads of government of the participating countries of the Eurasian Economic Union took part in the plenary session of the forum. The speakers discussed the development of sustainable digital infrastructure and new technologies in telecommunications. Digital Almaty has become a tradition and platform for discussions about the digital agenda of the EAEU countries. This year it takes on a new direction, focusing on “Industry X” – the digital evolution of the future.
Let us remind you that the organizers of Digital Almaty were the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Akimat of Almaty, and the Autonomous Cluster Fund “Park of Innovative Technologies” (Tech Garden).
Follow the updates on the official website DigitalAlmaty.kz for detailed information and registration opportunities.
Venue: Republic of Kazakhstan, Almaty, Kazakhstan Business Cooperation Center “Atakent”
Dates: February 1–3, 2024
For media accreditation: Lyazzat Sagyndykova, Ayim Nusip, +77077090052, a.nusip@techgarden.kz
Boeing subject matter experts visited the Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan as part of the agreements reached between the aviation authorities of Kazakhstan and Boeing.
Boeing delegation was represented by Mario Antonio Ebcim, Regional Director for Commercial Marketing and Business Development in Eurasia, Dale Johnson, Senior Program Manager for Systems Safety and Regulatory Affairs and Henry Herbert, Senior Program Manager for Global Safety and Regulatory Affairs, Product and Services Safety (P&SS). The purpose of the engagements is to further assist in improving Kazakhstan’s aviation safety oversight capabilities.
During the visit, Boeing officials also had a meeting with Talgat Lastayev, Сhairman of the Civil Aviation Committee of the Ministry of Industries and Infrastructure Development of Kazakhstan. At the meeting, the parties agreed to arrange a training program “Airline Planning Workshop” for commercial aviation employees of Kazakhstan with Boeing representatives’ active involvement. Officials of the Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan, including its head Catalin Radu, also joined the meeting.
The visit is targeted to explore opportunities of cooperation that could potentially be formalized in a MoC/MoU later on. With Boeing’s advisory role, the areas of collaboration could include the regulating framework of Kazakhstan for the forthcoming FAA International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA), facilitation of the launch of direct flights between Kazakhstan and the U.S. and potentially other subjects.
Check-in of departing passengers at the airport begins no later than 1.5 hours before aircraft departure for domestic flights and no later than 2 hours before aircraft departure for international flights (depending on the type of aircraft and number of passengers) and ends 40 minutes before aircraft departure.
Passenger shall arrive at the airport for check-in no later than 40 minutes prior to aircraft departure to complete check-in procedures. Passengers who are late for check-in will not be checked-in.
Ticket and baggage registration for departing passengers is performed at a check-in counter or other check-in options. Self-service check-in and baggage check-in desk closes 40 minutes prior to departure.
It is recommended for passengers to use mobile check-in and self-check-in desks (if any) to avoid making personal contact.
The airline is responsible for its luggage safety after check-in. Baggage is not accepted by the airline as checked-in baggage if it is not packed in suitcases, boxes, bags or other packaging to ensure its safe transportation.
Weight, dimensions, free baggage allowance and baggage allowance are set by the carrier. Transportation of baggage in excess of free baggage allowance set by the airline shall be paid for at the point of departure for the entire transportation to the point of destination at the rate applicable on the date of issuance of paid baggage receipt.
Disabled passengers and people with reduced mobility may additionally bring a stretcher and a wheelchair for personal use free of charge as baggage.
If luggage delivery is delayed, the airline shall pay compensation to luggage recipient in the amount of 10 per cent of the ticket price for each day of delay, but not more than 50 per cent of the ticket price according to the provision at the passenger's actual place of residence.
If the flight is cancelled or delayed due to the Carrier's fault, or if the flight is delayed due to the late arrival of the aircraft, or if the route of the flight is changed, the Carrier shall organize the following services for passengers at points of departure and transfer airports:
- if flight delay is more than, two hours carrier provides refreshments and two telephone calls, including international communication lines, not longer than five minutes long or two e-mail messages;
- if the delay is for four hours and more the carrier shall ensure a hot meal: during the daytime every six hours, at night every eight hours;
- if the flight delay is more than eight hours - during the daytime and more than six hours - at night, it shall organize accommodation in a hotel provided by the airline and transfers from the airport to the hotel and back;
- in case the flight is cancelled or delayed due to the fault of the carrier for more than ten hours, at the passenger's discretion the carrier shall ensure the passenger's transportation by the next available flight to the destination point specified on the ticket, or refund the passenger's full ticket price;
- in case of passenger delay due to fault of the airline, the airline shall pay a penalty at the rate of 3% of the ticket price (for the segment of the journey in which the delay occurred) for each hour of delay, unless the airline provides evidence that the delay was due to force majeure. The amount of the fine shall not exceed the cost of the ticket (flight segment in which the delay occurred).
The AAK project, which is a part of Step 68 Nation Plan implementation is now halfway through the process to deliver an organization that provides the efficiency of the UKCAA and EASA regulation models, and the visit served as an external review of the project. The reports submitted by the European Commission (EC) and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), as well as ICAO virtual validation mission and the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) visit included observations on progress made in the focus areas. The EC and EASA experts evaluated the steps taken by the Civil Aviation Committee (CAC) and the Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan (AAK) to ensure certification and oversight of air operators in compliance with the relevant international safety standards.:
The following key areas of CAC and AAK activities were subjected to evaluation:
- The organization and resources;
- Aviation regulations;
- Personnel licensing and training;
- Oversight of air operators;
- Safety Management;
- Training and standardization of inspecting staff.
Following the evaluation, it was reported that the aviation regulator is making a good progress and should reach its planned target ICAO effectiveness of 90% in the next full audit of Kazakhstan which is due late 2023 early 2024. Areas for improvement are Air Accident Investigation safety reporting, Just Culture, and organizational and financial structure to maintain the integrity of the UK and EASA models.
The reports detailed areas where further work is expected to reach the required efficiencies. Peter Griffiths, AAK Director General, said: ‘As we build the regulatory model for Kazakhstan, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive and thorough peer review of the progress. These reports are very welcome as they contain views on what still needs to be done to achieve the desired completion. However, the reports indicate we are on the right path, thus we are confident that we will achieve the goal set by the President for the Aviation Industry of the country’.
The next steps are to conclude a contract with the European Aviation Safety Agency for the three-year support, that includes support from Ireland assisting with oversight of Air Astana fleet registration changes. Following the inspection by the USA TSA we will start discussions on FAA Cat 1 in the spring of 2022.
Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan JSC successfully completed the work on implementation in the civil aviation of the Republic of Kazakhstan the ICAO standards for the application of the Global Reporting Format for runway surface conditions.
As a result, since November 4, 2021 the operators of certified aerodromes of the Republic of Kazakhstan began evaluating and transmitting runway surface condition reports according to the new ICAO methodology. With the implementation of GRF, the Republic of Kazakhstan was the first to publish SNOWTAM snow alerts to flight crews. The first airports to publish SNOWTAM were Kostanay, Pavlodar and Almaty.
One of ICAO's global safety objectives is to ensure the safety of runway operations. In particular, to reduce the number of aircraft runway excursions, since the proportion of aircraft accidents attributable to cases of aircraft runway excursions is approximately 15%, with this category of accidents accounting for 50% of all fatal aircraft accidents. 80% of runway excursions are due to the contaminations of runway.
The GRF methodology aims to improve flight safety by preventing aircraft excursions by ensuring a uniform approach to runway condition assessment and reporting of runway surface conditions worldwide. By comparing runway condition reports with aircraft performance data provided by the aircraft manufacturer, the flight crew can calculate take-off and landing performances for a safe landing.