Kyrgyzstan Nears Exit From EU Air Safety List After 20 Years
Kyrgyzstan could soon be removed from the European Union’s Air Safety List, ending nearly two decades of restrictions on its civil aviation sector. President Sadyr Zhaparov said this week that the country has reached a critical stage in efforts to meet international aviation safety standards, raising hopes that Kyrgyz airlines may once again gain access to European airspace.
“Today, our country is making a major historic leap,” Zhaparov said, according to reports cited by Anadolu. “A modern, safe, and high-tech aviation industry is being developed, which will become one of the symbols of the renewed state.” He added that Kyrgyzstan is now close to exiting the European Union’s aviation “blacklist,” expressing confidence that flights to Europe could resume in the future.
Kyrgyzstan has been listed on the EU Air Safety List since 2006, after regulators determined that the country’s aviation oversight and safety systems failed to meet international requirements. Inclusion on the list effectively bans airlines certified in Kyrgyzstan from operating flights to, within, or over European Union airspace, severely limiting international connectivity and growth.
According to Zhaparov, the country has taken a more independent and investment-driven approach to rebuilding its aviation sector. The government has committed billions of soms toward aviation development, including the acquisition of new aircraft for domestic, regional, and international routes, as well as the construction and modernization of airports across the country.
He said removal from the EU Air Safety List would have wide-ranging economic and strategic benefits. These include stronger tourism flows, increased foreign investment, and a significant boost to Kyrgyzstan’s international reputation. Access to Europe’s unified aviation market would also open the door to millions of potential passengers and new commercial opportunities for the country’s airlines.
While the president’s comments signal optimism, any formal removal from the list would depend on assessments by European aviation authorities. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency evaluates countries based on regulatory oversight, airline compliance, aircraft maintenance, crew training, and adherence to International Civil Aviation Organization standards.
If approved, Kyrgyzstan’s exit would mark a significant turnaround after nearly 20 years of restrictions. It would also place the country among a small group of former blacklist nations that have successfully reformed their aviation safety frameworks to regain access to EU skies.
For Kyrgyz airlines and airports, the potential delisting represents a long-awaited opportunity to reconnect with Europe and accelerate the modernization of the country’s aviation industry, positioning it for growth well beyond its borders.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, news.az