More than 300 participants from 26 countries explored the opportunities, challenges, and partnerships shaping Central Asia’s aviation and MRO sector

On October 7–8, 2026, MRO Central Asia: Kazakhstan #2 brought the international aviation maintenance community together at the Radisson Hotel Astana for two days of market analysis, technical expertise, strategic discussion, and business networking.

The scale and international composition of the audience demonstrated the growing attention being paid to Central Asia’s aviation sector. More than 300 participants representing 146 companies and organizations from 26 countries took part in the event, bringing together airlines, MRO providers, OEMs, airports, aviation technology companies, component specialists, financial institutions, consultants, and other stakeholders across the aviation value chain. The exhibition showcased 14 international suppliers and service providers.

A High-Level Opening Set the Strategic Context

The conference opened with the UK–Kazakhstan Aviation Partnership session, supported by the British Embassy Astana, bringing together government representatives and senior international aviation industry stakeholders. The participation of the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the UK Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, Rolls-Royce, Airbus, and Air Astana Group set a high-level tone for the event and underlined the importance of international cooperation in developing Kazakhstan’s aviation capabilities.

The opening program examined opportunities to strengthen the country’s MRO ecosystem, develop airline and OEM partnerships, expand airport and cargo infrastructure, improve pilot and maintenance training, design future aviation hubs, and facilitate aviation investment. Contributions also came from Acron Aviation, AJW Aviation, Sary-Arka International Airport, Aktau International Airport, Rider Levett Bucknall, WW+P, ZHA, Plan A Consultants, Foster + Partners, and UK Export Finance.

From Aviation Strategy to Practical MRO Solutions

The conference then moved into a broad examination of the commercial and operational priorities facing the regional aviation industry.

The MRO Partnerships & Efficiency session addressed aviation finance and multimodal logistics, with perspectives from the AIFC Aviation Finance Hub, DHL Global Forwarding, and TroyAvi Aviation Consultants. The program also featured an MoU signing between ATO COMM and AIFC, creating an additional foundation for cooperation in aviation finance.

The Emerging MRO session focused on practical challenges affecting maintenance operations and supply chains, with contributions from Norm Teknik, FL Technics Wheels & Brakes, and Air Astana.

Day two continued with technical and strategic topics including fuel-system component MRO, waste management, AOG composite repairs, sustainable aviation fuel adoption, quality assurance, certification, and supply chain integrity. The program featured Modern MRO, 360 DMG, Worldwide Composite Services, Intertek, and TroyAvi Aviation Consultants.

The conference concluded with a Closing Panel on Strategic MRO Development in Central Asia, bringing together perspectives from Alpha Sky Airline, Air Astana, Worldwide Composite Services, FL Technics Wheels & Brakes, and TroyAvi Aviation Consultants. The discussion provided an opportunity to connect the technical issues raised throughout the program with the broader strategic direction of the regional MRO market.

A Market with Growing Demand for Expertise

Across the two days, one message became increasingly clear: Central Asia’s aviation growth is creating demand not only for additional aircraft and infrastructure, but also for the maintenance capabilities, technical expertise, training, financing, logistics, and specialized services required to support them.

The international participation at MRO Central Asia: Kazakhstan #2 demonstrated that this demand is attracting attention from established global companies while creating new opportunities for regional operators and service providers. The event provided a practical environment for these stakeholders to exchange experience, identify areas for cooperation, and discuss the capabilities needed to support the region’s expanding aviation fleet.

The second edition also confirmed the need for regular MRO industry conferences in Kazakhstan, providing a continuing platform for the market to exchange expertise, develop business relationships, and address the region’s evolving maintenance requirements. The next edition of the series will take place in Tashkent on March 30-31, 2027, continuing this dialogue and bringing the regional MRO community together once again.

We would like to thank all speakers, government officials, industry experts, partners, and attendees whose contribution made the second edition of MRO Central Asia: Kazakhstan a substantive and business-oriented industry gathering.

Special thanks go to our Partnership Support organizations — Rolls-Royce, Modern MRO, Acron Aviation, Norm Teknik, and Lufthansa Consulting — for their support and contribution to the event.

We also extend our appreciation to the British Embassy Astana for supporting the UK–Kazakhstan Aviation Partnership session and to Turkish Airlines, the event’s Official Carrier, for supporting the international participation of the aviation community.

The discussions held in Astana have provided a strong basis for continued cooperation as Central Asia’s aviation and MRO market moves into its next stage of development.