During a working visit, the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Head of the Presidential Administration, Adylbek Kasymaliev, met with Peter Sørensen, who holds the position of Chairman of the European Union Aviation Safety Committee and is the Deputy Head of the Security Unit of the European Commission. The press service of the Cabinet reported this event.
The agenda included the issue of the possibility of removing Kyrgyz airlines from the EU aviation safety blacklist. The Ambassador of the European Union to Kyrgyzstan, Remy Duflo, also participated in the discussion.
Kasymaliev emphasized that Sørensen's visit is of particular significance for the country.
“We view cooperation with the European Union as one of our key directions and highly value the professionalism of European institutions in matters of aviation safety,” he stressed.
During the meeting, it was noted that thanks to the decision of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Sadyr Japarov, to establish the State Agency for Civil Aviation, the situation in the industry has undergone significant changes. This decision contributed to the formation of an effective system of state regulation, improved oversight, and the implementation of international ICAO standards.
The head of the Cabinet of Ministers also spoke about the results achieved from the reforms. For example, passenger traffic increased from 3.9 million in 2021 to over 6 million by 2025, and the number of flights rose from 34,000 to 52,000, which is a 53% increase. All 11 airports in the country have been restored and modernized.
“Our plans for launching long-haul flights are already being implemented. We have acquired two Airbus A321 aircraft, and by 2030, we plan to lease an additional 10 aircraft,” Kasymaliev reported, adding that the systematic nature of the reforms is confirmed by international audit data: the level of implementation of ICAO standards in Kyrgyzstan has reached 85.76%.
Sørensen, for his part, expressed satisfaction with the progress made. He noted significant changes in legislation and regulatory frameworks, adding that the European side is impressed with the results achieved in a short time. According to him, the support for the aviation sector from the Kyrgyz government is truly commendable. Sørensen also confirmed active and productive contacts with the Director of the Civil Aviation Agency, Daniyar Bostanov, and expressed readiness for further professional discussions.
He added that the current visit is an important part of the open assessment process, and a final decision will be made at the relevant EU committee meeting in May 2026.
Summarizing the meeting, Kasymaliev confirmed that the Kyrgyz Republic will continue to strengthen its legislative and institutional framework in the field of aviation.
“This issue remains a priority for us. I am confident that a positive decision from the EU will open new horizons for the development of both the aviation sector and the economy of our country,” concluded the head of the Cabinet of Ministers.
