ALMATY – Kazakhstan has secured a place among the world's top 20 nations in aviation safety, with its International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) safety compliance indicator reaching 95.7%, according to officials speaking at the ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium 2026 (GISS 2026) in Marrakech, Morocco.
The announcement, made April 17, drew attention from senior aviation officials across multiple nations. The symposium brought together ICAO Council President Toshiyuki Onuma and Saltanat Tompiyeva, Chair of Kazakhstan's Civil Aviation Committee, along with counterparts from countries including Canada, France, Singapore, India, and Morocco. Kazakh representatives also held bilateral discussions with ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar on expanding cooperation and joint initiatives within the organization.
The compliance figure represents the culmination of a sustained improvement trajectory. Aviation security indicators have climbed from 62% to 95.7% in recent years, propelling Kazakhstan into the global top 20. Flight safety levels rose from 47% in 2009 to 82% in 2025, positioning the country well above the global average of 69.3% and the European average of 76%.
Onuma praised Kazakhstan's active role within ICAO and its growing contribution to international aviation cooperation. The quantitative gains have been matched by a sharp recovery in passenger traffic, which increased by 80% in 2025 compared to pre-pandemic levels, reflecting both improved safety perceptions and expanded route networks.
Looking ahead, Tompiyeva outlined several strategic initiatives. Kazakhstan is set to establish an independent transport accident investigation body, launch a modern aviation training center in Astana, and continue large-scale infrastructure modernization across its aviation sector. The country is also preparing to host ICAO Security Week 2026 from October 20 to 22, marking the first large-scale ICAO event of its kind in the country and expected to become one of the most significant aviation safety gatherings in the region.