MRO Central Asia: Kazakhstan — Advancing Technical Excellence in Astana

The MRO Central Asia: Kazakhstan conference gathered the country’s aviation community for two days of focused discussion, expert insight, and hands-on dialogue about the future of maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) across the region. Building on the momentum of earlier events, this edition brought together over 200 registered participants from airlines, MRO providers, manufacturers, leasing companies, and suppliers.

Uzbekistan Airways Technics provided substantial sponsorship support for the exhibition and conference. We express our sincere gratitude and greatly value their generous contribution. As Central Asia’s leading MRO provider, their involvement strengthens regional aviation partnerships. The event was opened with a video presentation showcasing the capabilities of UAT, followed by expressing gratitude for being a partner, thanks to whom the event was possible.

Kazakhstan’s major airlines — including full-service carriers, LCCs, and regional operators — were prominently represented, demonstrating a shared commitment to raising technical standards and improving operational performance across the national fleet.

Throughout both days, intensive networking animated the hallways — a steady current of conversations, new contacts, and emerging cooperation initiatives.

A compact exhibition complemented the program, with companies showcasing maintenance solutions, components, engineering tools, and digital services. Exhibitors left the event energized — productive meetings, promising negotiations, and tangible commitments have set the stage for new partnerships and continued progress.

Conference Program Highlights

Day 1 — Industry Trends & Regulatory Landscape

The conference opened with remarks from Maxim Pyadushkin (Central Asia+ Aero), setting the tone for two-day program addressed a wide range of topics essential to Kazakhstan’s fast-growing aviation sector.

Under the guidance of moderator Vladislav Berlev (2TOP), the morning explored market trajectories and regulatory realities.

Rizwan Siddiqui (IATA) outlined global and regional MRO trends, highlighting how Central Asia’s demand profile is shifting as fleets modernize.

Jason Sutcliffe (Rolls-Royce) walked through current advances in engine overhaul, underscoring efficiency improvements and new maintenance philosophies.

Grigoriy Babenko and Vladislav Berlev (2TOP) introduced next-generation CAMO/AMO software designed to simplify engineer onboarding and reduce operational error.

Yugesh Pillay (Aerotechnic Middle East FZCO) examined how innovation can progress responsibly within regulatory boundaries — a topic that resonated strongly with the audience.

A panel moderated by Ajinkya Gurav (Green Mobility Magazine) brought together Rizwan Siddiqui (IATA), Yugesh Pillay, Nikolay Khoteev, Nursultan Momynov (Air Astana), Kaspars Podins (JOB AIR Technic).

Their discussion centered on how Central Asian operators can adapt maintenance strategies for emerging aircraft types, counter early-life technical issues, and balance legacy and new-generation fleets.

The afternoon continued with updates on regional capabilities:

Haluk Hadi ACAR (TIM Aerospace) detailed the company’s technical offerings.

Nikolay Khoteev returned with a session on the rising role of AI in predictive maintenance and decision-support.

The day closed with a reception that extended into long conversations — deals forming at cocktail-speed.

Day 2 — Skills, Sustainability & Strategy

The second day began with remarks from Maxim Pyadushkin, who framed the agenda around workforce development and future-ready operations.

Second day starts with Kaspars Podins (JOB AIR Technic), then training and technical capacity took center stage, with Liliya Zentsova (Aviator.KZ Training Center) and Vladislav Berlev (2TOP) addressing the talent pipeline challenge and pathways to strengthen local competencies. This theme continued into a panel featuring Liliya Zentsova, Vladislav Berlev, and a senior representative of the I. Abdraimov Kyrgyz Aviation Institute, emphasizing cooperation between universities and training centers.

Connectivity and digital infrastructure stepped into the spotlight next as Arman Bekembayev (SpaceLab) presented satellite-based solutions for aircraft operations.

Sustainability — environmental, economic, and social — was explored through:

Ajinkya Gurav, who unpacked MRO-level approaches to greener practices;

KazMunayGas-Aero, who offered a view into Kazakhstan’s developing SAF ecosystem.

Finance entered the conversation through Serik Karabaev (Bereke Bank), outlining tools that can help operators and MRO providers secure investment for modernization and expansion.

The final panel, moderated by Maxim Pyadushkin, brought together Robert Dando(Air Astana),

Paul Kennedy (Worldwide Composite Services), Dauren Aubakirov (SpaceLab), Serik Karabaev, and Semyon Aushev (Alpha Sky Airline). Their discussion crystallized the day’s themes: building regional capabilities, attracting investment, and preparing infrastructure and regulation for long-term growth.

A final networking session and matchmaking round closed the event — a hive of business cards, plans, and future collaborations.

A Growing Regional Platform

MRO Central Asia: Kazakhstan delivered a concentrated, high-value program that resonated strongly with local operators. Its mix of insightful presentations, engaged discussions, a focused exhibition, and dynamic networking made it a meaningful platform for strengthening the country’s aviation maintenance ecosystem.

The strong turnout and active participation confirmed the region’s growing appetite for specialized technical events — and reinforced Kazakhstan’s role at this development.

The success of this first edition lays the foundation for a series of dedicated MRO conferences in Kazakhstan, supporting the development of modern, competitive aircraft maintenance capabilities across Central Asia.

A word from the organizers

The ato comm team encourages aviation professionals across Central Asia to take an active role in the region’s key industry conferences and exhibitions. These gatherings cultivate meaningful connections, spark collaboration, and help accelerate regional growth and innovation. Your engagement is essential to shaping the future of aviation in this rapidly evolving landscape.

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We look forward to welcoming you on October 7–8 2026 at the 2nd edition of MRO Central Asia in Astana, Kazakhstan. The upcoming event will once again provide a pivotal platform for industry leaders to connect, share expertise, and explore the latest advancements in aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul.