Kyrgyzstan is in the final stage of exiting the European Union’s flight safety blacklist, stated Danyar Bostonov, Director of the Civil Aviation Agency. He spoke about the work done over three years and the modernization of aviation infrastructure.
In an interview on Sputnik Kyrgyzstan radio, Bostonov recalled that the country’s inclusion on the EU blacklist in 2006 was due to weak oversight of airlines, a shortage of inspectors, and gaps in legislation. The situation has been radically changed.
“We have strengthened oversight, updated nearly 90 percent of the inspector staff, trained specialists in the European Union, passed two ICAO international audits, and made amendments to the Air Code and subordinate acts to comply with international standards. Now we are at the final stage — we expect an on-site EU audit at the end of March. Then I will need to go to Brussels and ‘defend’ myself before the heads of civil aviation agencies of the European Union. After that, we will wait for the decision,” Bostonov reported.
He clarified that being on the blacklist not only prohibits Kyrgyz aircraft from flying over the European Union but also prevents leasing aircraft — the country has to buy them for cash.
Separately, the agency head commented on airport operations in dense fog. He explained that landing restrictions are related to international safety requirements and the current category of equipment at Manas airport.
“The third category is landing with zero visibility, when the plane approaches almost in automatic mode. For this, pilots, aircraft, ground equipment, dispatchers, and the entire lighting system must be ready. We have already decided to transition to the third category, equipment is being installed, test flights are underway. The whole process will take about one and a half years — by aviation standards, this is very fast,” the interlocutor noted.
Danyar Bostonov emphasized that the development of civil aviation is comprehensive — from updating legislation and training personnel to reconstructing airfields and introducing modern navigation systems.
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