Kazakhstan's civil aviation recorded steady growth in 2025, driven by safety improvements, rising passenger traffic and stronger international cooperation, reports the Astana Times.

Civil Aviation Committee chairwoman Saltanat Tompiyeva said Kazakhstan passed an ICAO security audit in September with 95.7 per cent compliance, placing it among the world's top 20 countries for aviation safety.

Airports handled 29 million passengers in the first 11 months of 2025, while airlines carried 14.3 million. Regular flights now connect Kazakhstan with 30 countries across 131 routes, totalling 616 flights weekly.

Kazakhstan reaffirmed its commitment to the Chicago Convention at the ICAO Assembly and assumed the vice-chair role of the ICAO Administrative Commission. Bilateral meetings with ICAO, EASA, FAA and EUROCONTROL produced agreements to expand connectivity and cargo transport.

Ms Tompiyeva acknowledged challenges including airport infrastructure strain, fleet renewal amid aircraft shortages, and the need for 500-600 new specialists annually. The government is modernising airports, building new facilities and creating a certified aviation training centre.

Authorities subsidised 25 socially significant routes with KZT6.4 billion (US$12.4 million) to maintain regional connectivity. Strategic priorities include safety, infrastructure investment and expanding international services, with more than 35 routes opened or resumed in 2025.

Several foreign airlines entered the market, including Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, Thai AirAsia X and China Eastern. Ms Tompiyeva said Kazakhstan is positioning itself as a regional hub linking Europe, Southeast Asia and the Middle East, supported by open skies reforms and competitive tariffs.