Over the past 3-4 years, following the guidance of Elbasy within the 68th Step of the Nation Plan of “100 Concrete Steps” (Improving the efficiency of State Regulation in Air Transport and focusing on the models of the British State Civil Aviation Agency and the EU Aviation Safety Agency) a radical reform has been introduced to the management of civil aviation. The measures taken made it possible to increase the effectiveness of control and supervision and improve the image of Kazakhstan’s civil aviation on the international arena. The Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan JSC was created (with 100% state participation) with the main function to conduct technical control and supervision in the field of flight safety and aviation security. This approach was introduced for the first time in Kazakhstan and among other CIS countries. A similar management model is common in all countries of the European Civil Aviation Agency (EASA), as well as in other developed countries (Singapore, UAE, France, etc.) and is recognized by ICAO. The new regulatory model for the civil aviation industry fully complies with ICAO documents and does not contradict national legislation. The State functions that form the power in the field of civil aviation remain with the Civil Aviation Committee: determination of State policy, adoption of legal acts, implementation of tariff regulation, determination of strategy and appointment of the management for the Authorized Organization. When introducing this approach, the world practice was taken into account for the separation of the functions of the regulator and the body responsible for public policy. This model is in line with international best practices. For example, in the United States, transport policy is carried out by the Department of Transport, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is involved in the implementation of control and oversight functions.

In France, the Ministry of Transport, Sea and Fisheries is responsible for policy, and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) oversees the policy. A similar model is used in Singapore, UAE, Australia, New Zealand, Czech Republic and other countries. With this approach in place, the level of compliance with ICAO safety standards goes as follows: in the USA – 91%, France – 95%, Singapore – 98%, UAE – 98%, Australia – 83%, New Zealand – 84%, Czech Republic – 91%. According to the results of the ICAO audit (2017), the level of Kazakhstan’s compliance with flight safety standards is 74%. This result is higher than the world average (63%) and practically corresponds to the European average (76%). In the field of aviation security, the level of Kazakhstan’s compliance with ICAO standards is 83%, which is 11% higher than the world average (72%). In general, thanks to the creation of the AAK, it has become possible to successfully eliminate the main concerns raised by ICAO during the 2009 audit: the lack of qualified personnel and the lack of effective control over the certification of airlines and aircrafts. Due to the lack of qualified personnel, there was a low efficiency of control over certification of airlines and aircraft. To some extent, it was carried out in a declarative manner, that is, people did not go to the site to inspect the plane, extend its airworthiness, but did it only on paper, without having sufficient qualifications. The introduced model has improved the quality of certification and control. Improving working conditions allowed AAK to become competitive in the industry and made it possible to attract highly qualified civil aviation professionals. Aviation inspectors are provided with a complex of continuous training, advanced training and equal working conditions with the enterprises of the industry. Peter Griffiths, who has extensive experience in aviation has been appointed as Director General. It should be noted that the involvement  of competent foreign specialists is a widespread global practice (Singapore, UAE, etc.). Such specialists have a positive impact on the professional development of the specialists by transferring knowledge and experience. In the field of flight safety and aviation security, in the year of 2020, the Aviation Administration conducted the following activities: 65 inspections, 9 airline certifications, 17 air navigation audits, 31 aerodrome certifications, 19 aerodrome inspections. As a result of which, the activities of 8 airlines that did not comply with flight safety requirements were suspended, including Bek Air, 3 airlines engaged in the illegal transportation of questionable cargo, which caused a negative reaction from the UN Security Council, etc. At the time of serious challenges, the new model has shown efficiency and flexibility, thereby proving its consistency and efficiency.

Positive results became possible, among other changes, due to the elimination of established ties between inspectors and aviation enterprises, which had corruption risks and did not ensure objective and independent decision-making.

Considering that, the Aviation Administration demonstrates competent, objective, and independent work from external factors. It is important to note that one of the lowest rates in the ICAO Audits in 2009 and 2016 was the process applied in investigation of aircraft accidents and incidents. Attention was drawn to this issue more than once, and the need to strengthen the relevant unit responsible for investigations was noted. Currently, in order to successfully pass the upcoming ICAO audit, the issue of increasing the efficiency of this area is being under focus. Various options are being considered, including delegating the functions of the Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Directorate (URAPI) of the MIID RK to an interstate or regional incident investigation body (for example, to the Interstate Aviation Committee). Upon having a detailed study of this issue, an appropriate decision will be made.