The reform of Kazakhstan’s state oversight system in civil aviation has become an example of the practical implementation of the principle of “Law and Order”, which is based on compliance with legislation and accountability for flight safety.

In 2009, the European Union imposed an operating ban on most Kazakhstani airlines. One of the reasons was the insufficient effectiveness of state oversight in ensuring compliance with international flight safety standards.

As a result of the reforms implemented, Kazakhstani air carriers were removed from the EU Air Safety List in December 2016, while the effective implementation rate of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards reached 74%.

An important milestone in the further improvement of the oversight system was the establishment of the Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan (AAK) in 2019, with the state holding 100% ownership.

The new model provided for a clear separation of responsibilities: government bodies retained responsibility for developing state policy and establishing regulatory frameworks, while the AAK was entrusted with the statutory functions of certification, inspection, control and oversight in the civil aviation sector.

The corporate structure made it possible to introduce more flexible arrangements for recruiting qualified aviation inspectors, improving remuneration and organising their professional training. At the same time, the public-law nature of the oversight powers was preserved.

Within the scope of their statutory authority, aviation inspectors monitor compliance with aviation regulations, identify violations and issue legally binding corrective orders. Where grounds предусмотрены by law exist, enforcement measures may also be applied, including the suspension or revocation of relevant certificates.

The results of the reforms have received international recognition. In 2021, Kazakhstan's effective implementation rate of ICAO safety standards reached 82%, exceeding the global average by 15 percentage points.

In 2024, all restrictions imposed on Kazakhstan under the European Commission's aviation safety blacklist were fully lifted.

In 2025, following an ICAO audit, Kazakhstan achieved a 95.7% compliance rate with international aviation security standards, compared with the global average of approximately 72%.

Thus, the activities of the AAK demonstrate the practical implementation of the “Law and Order” principle in civil aviation. Its foundations are strict compliance with aviation legislation, the prevention of violations and the prioritisation of flight safety.