Around European aviation 2024 series – Focus on Central Asia

Back in June-July 2020, at the peak of the pandemic, we interviewed our Europe region Area and Country Managers, as well as the Assistant Directors, EU Affairs in the IATA Brussels office for the "Around European Aviation in 15 stops/interviews" seriespublished on our blog.

How have things evolved in these four years? In a post-pandemic context with flaring geopolitical tensions, critical EU and domestic elections, growing regulatory challenges, as well as intensified efforts to deliver on aviation's Fly Net Zero 2050 commitment, what short and medium-term prospects can we expect, particularly from a policy standpoint?

An interview with Rizwan Siddiqui, Country Manager Central Asia at IATA, who oversees the Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistanmarkets from our Astana office.

· How has the policy focus evolved in your markets since the pandemic?

Kazakhstan is the fastest growing country in the region, and leads the region when it comes to safety, infrastructural development and adopting ICAO & IATA regulations. In December 2023, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by the Civil Aviation Committee on IOSA & ISAGO. This safety culture is now being promoted among the Eurasian Civil Aviation Conference (EACAC) member countries, which includes Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. As per infrastructural development, Shymkent and Kyzylorda airports here in Kazakhstan recently inaugurated new passenger terminals, and a new international terminal in Almaty will start operations mid-June. Meanwhile, heavy runway repair work is underway at Astana Airport since May 1^st. As per the other countries in my cluster, ICAO and IATA regulations will continue to be closely monitored.

· Sustainable Aviation Fuels represent the main solution for the industry to deliver its Fly Net Zero 2050 commitment. What update can you provide, notably on the required sufficient availability and 'affordable' pricing?

One of the top priorities is to address the shortage of Aviation Fuel, there is huge gap between locally produced aviation fuel and demand because of which airlines heavily dependent on imports from neighboring countries. Supply of Jet A-1 is another issue in Central Asia as most of the countries are still using Russian standards i.e., TS-1 fuel, we IATA supporting stakeholders by providing guidelines on the standards to be used.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is another area where Central Asia needs proactive approach. Once again Kazakhstan took the lead among CIS countries by signing an agreement with ICAO who will help in development and participating in activities on ACT-SAF program including exchange of best practices and relevant information, participation in seminars and technical assistance on issues related to SAF in national action plans and implementation specific to SAF project.

· You only recently joined IATA, having held many positions both in airlines and travel retail, as well as consulting, most of which for the Central Asia cluster. What are aviation's main opportunities and challenges in these emerging markets?

Indeed, this is my 27^th year in the region! I've spent most of this time in Kazakhstan, which, in 2019, became the fastest-growing domestic aviation market worldwide. With its vast landscape, 20 million population spread out across a large-sized country, its economic development, and strategic location, the country offers a perfect mix for a much-needed and strong aviation industry. This strategic location enables Kazakhstan to serve as a link between Europe and East Asia, and at reasonable distance from the Middle East. The country is often regarded as the 'center' of the world, or to borrow the aviation jargon, as a "mid-way hub".

Besides Kazakhstan, I also cover IATA's activities in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, where a lot remains to be done with regards to ICAO and IATA regulations and standards. These are emerging markets, and as far as the development of infrastructure is concerned, huge efforts are required from the governing bodies. Creating a safety culture and promoting IOSA and ISAGO certifications, aviation fuel shortage, infrastructural developments and sustainability represent the main challenges. · How has the ongoing war in Ukraine affected your cluster?

Sanctions and airspace closure have had a severe impact. Various countries, specifically neighboring ones, are highly dependent on Russia and Ukraine for their air passenger traffic. Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan are the most exposed, at respectively 86%, 73% and 50% of their total passenger numbers. On a more positive note, markets are slowly recovering.

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