2.6.2022
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
L 151/49
(34)
The meeting showed that the CAC KZ and AAK still need to provide the Commission with further clarifications and evidence regarding certain actions and measures taken.
The Commission also asked CAC KZ and AAK to review the CAP by further developing the root cause analysis of the safety deficiencies identified during the Union on-site assessment visit, with the aim to discuss it at the next technical meeting.
(35)
As a follow up to the EU Air Safety Committee’s deliberations of November 2021, and confirmed during the April 2022 technical meeting, the Commission invited CAC KZ, AAK, and the air carrier Air Astana to a hearing before the EU Air Safety Committee on 17 May 2022.
(36)
At the hearing, CAC KZ and AAK provided the Commission and the EU Air Safety Committee with an overview of the system put in place to ensure safety oversight of the air carriers certified in Kazakhstan.
They explained the Kazakh national safety development plan, which includes measures to improve the effectiveness of Kazakh air transport, including the effective implementation of the relevant international safety standards.
Furthermore, AAK reported on the latest developments regarding its organisational structure, the size of the aviation industry in Kazakhstan, as well as the results of the ICAO Coordinated Validation Mission carried out in August 2021.
(37)
Underlining their commitment for continued improvement, CAC KZ and AAK provided the Commission and the EU Air Safety Committee with a comprehensive and detailed overview of the implementation of the CAP developed on the basis of the results of the Union on-site assessment visit of October 2021.
This included the strategic objectives defined for the future, such as amendments to the Kazakh legal framework, AAK’s manuals and procedures, the continuation of the improvements of its QMS, and the further effective implementation of the relevant international safety standards.
(38)
During the hearing, CAC KZ and AAK committed to keeping the Commission informed about the future actions to be taken with respect to the remaining observations made during the 2021 Union on-site assessment visit.
Furthermore, they committed to a continued safety dialogue, including through the provision of relevant safety information and through additional meetings, at least twice a year, or when deemed necessary by the Commission.
(39)
Evidence indicates that the measures undertaken by CAC KZ and AAK already contribute to strengthening their capabilities to oversee the aviation activities in Kazakhstan.
However, further improvements are needed as regards their ability to oversee that operations by air carriers certified in Kazakhstan are conducted in accordance with the relevant international safety standards, including by ensuring that appropriate resources for such safety oversight activities are assured.
(40)
On the basis of the information presented, it appears that since October 2021 CAC KZ and AAK have made noteworthy progress in the implementation of the relevant international safety standards.
The Commission and the Agency noted their intent to further support CAC KZ and AAK with their efforts to further strengthen the aviation safety system in Kazakhstan.
(41)
During the hearing, the air carrier Air Astana gave an overview of its current fleet, and of the available resources and facilities.
It described its robust and well-developed Safety Management System (‘SMS’) and QMS.
The air carrier noted that it uses a set of software tools in order to integrate the safety, quality, and risk management data, including the fatigue risk management system.
(42)
When queried by the EU Air Safety Committee, the air carrier also debriefed on the oversight activities that AAK has performed on Air Astana in 2021-2022, and confirmed improvements in its interaction with the CAC KZ and AAK.
(43)
Based on its deliberations, the EU Air Safety Committee came to the conclusion that particular attention should be given to the continuous monitoring of the safety situation and developments in Kazakhstan, including through regular progress reporting from CAC KZ and AAK, and the possibility of inviting them for another hearing at a future meeting of the EU Air Safety Committee.