Airbus is a global leader in the aerospace industry. Although the company is renowned for its cutting-edge solutions across commercial aviation, its portfolio goes far beyond this area.
Airbus has built a strong and enduring partnership with Kazakhstan over the past 20 years across all its businesses. Airbus is a reliable partner for Kazakhstan collaborating on high-level defence and security projects including military aircraft and earth observation high resolution satellites. Airbus also has a solid presence in the region with its commercial aircraft and corporate jets. Additionally, Airbus has implemented a long-term programme to provide service support for helicopters.
Roman Blashchishin, the newly appointed head of Airbus in Kazakhstan, reflects on the first results of his work in the role and shares his vision for the future. The initial 100 days typically serve as a point for assessing early initiatives and setting the stage for future endeavors. What is Kazakhstan’s role in Airbus’s global strategy? How will collaboration with local partners develop? What projects are planned in the defense and space segments? And what business areas could serve as the basis for broader cooperation? We discussed this and much more in our exclusive interview.
© Manuel Blondeau/AP
Congratulations, Roman, on your appointment as the head of Airbus in Kazakhstan and on reaching your first milestone of 100 days in this role. What goals and initiatives have you introduced, and what are your key priorities for the upcoming year?
Thank you for your congratulations! These first 100 days have been very busy. With seven years of experience at Airbus Defence and Space, I am now ready and excited to take on new challenges, broadening my perspective and leadership across all Airbus activities in Kazakhstan.
We are actively engaging with local stakeholders and government representatives to offer sustainable products and solutions that align with Kazakhstan’s evolving needs. These relationships are essential for our long-term success and for contributing to the local economy.
We continue to deliver for our customers and support the entry into service of the aircraft we have already delivered—particularly the A320 and A400M programs—ensuring seamless integration and operational success. In addition, we continue developing the helicopter ecosystem by means of delivering new rotorcrafts, securing their maintenance and contributing to the training of specialists.
Airbus has a well-established partnership with Air Astana. Can you elaborate on the foundation of this collaboration and your vision for its future development?
Air Astana took its first step with the A320 seventeen years ago. Today, alongside Fly Arystan, its fleet has grown to over 50 A320 Family aircraft, with plans to expand to 80 by 2028. As the airline continues its growth journey, Airbus remains committed to supporting its ambitions by providing the right aircraft (from the A320 to the A220) offering efficiency, flexibility, and innovation.
@Air Astana
Air Astana was among the first airlines in the world to receive the A321LR. This highly efficient aircraft enables the airline to operate both regional and long-range international flights, including a direct nine-and-a-half-hour route to London, one of the longest flights operated by a narrowbody aircraft.
In addition to fleet expansion, Air Astana places great emphasis on maintenance and training. During my visit to its MRO and training facilities in Astana, I saw firsthand their commitment to excellence. These facilities meet international standards and now enable the airline to perform A320 maintenance independently, reinforcing its operational autonomy.
Currently, Air Astana acquires aircraft through leasing agreements, meaning our direct customer is the leasing company. Given Airbus' backlog of orders extending over the next eight years, securing a short delivery lead time for direct purchases may be challenging. However, we remain open to exploring opportunities for a direct relationship in the future.
Beyond commercial aviation, Airbus is involved in helicopter, as well as defence and space projects in Kazakhstan. Could you provide insights into these initiatives and the anticipated developments in these sectors?
Helicopters
There are more than 60 Airbus helicopters in Kazakhstan, operated by private companies and state organizations. We take pride in the fact that our helicopters are used by "Kazaviaspas" to perform tasks of air ambulance, search and rescue and patrol operations.
@ photo by Grigory Bedenko
Airbus Helicopters Kazakhstan Engineerin (AHKE) is the only centre in Central Asia that performs re-assembly of H125, H130 and H145 helicopters, their maintenance and also secures type rating of specialists. Most of the employees are Kazakhstanies who were trained at Airbus facilities in Europe.
We also focus on talent development. Our helicopter plant selects students who have graduated from the Bachelor's program at the Civil Aviation Academy and offers a two-year practical training program, which essentially serves as an employment under the supervision of experienced specialists. Upon completion, they can take exams and obtain a technician's license for a specific type of helicopter. We launched this initiative in 2023, and we already have our first two licensed technicians. Six more are currently undergoing practical training, including one female student.
This year, we were invited to participate in Mechaton-2025, a hackathon for engineering students at Nazarbayev University. We proposed a task to develop a tool for helicopter maintenance and selected winners from among eight teams working on our challenge. Additionally, we decided to offer summer internships at our plant to two of the winning students, allowing them to continue developing the tool they proposed during the hackathon.
Defence and space
GHALAM is Airbus’ joint venture dedicated to space activities. Since its creation GHALAM has already demonstrated its competences, for example when managing KazSTSat and KazSciSat projects. Currently GHALAM is working on a new MR Earth Observation satellite program for the needs of Kazakhstan.
Airbus was also selected as the partner to develop “space infrastructure” – satellite assembly, integration and assembly center. AIT (Assembly Integration and Test) center has been completed in Astana and is operated by the joint venture GHALAM. In parallel to the creation of the AIT center Airbus also produced two Earth observations satellites; they were launched in 2014 for operation by Kazakhstan Gharysh Sapary: KazEOSat-1 and KazEOSat-2. Employees of GHALAM were also able to participate in the development of those satellites and thus they got knowledge and experience.
C295
In 2011 the Kazakhstan Air Force was looking for the platform to replace its aging military-transport fleet. After a thorough assessment C295 was selected.
C295 is a medium tactical turboprop transport aircraft equipped with a rear ramp that is capable to perform operations on short unpaved runways and secures transportation of troops, cargo, aerial delivery and medevac operations. During COVID pandemic we saw C295 was involved in repatriation of Kazakhstanies, delivery of medical supplies, and transportation of doctors. As of now C295 is the true workhorse of the Kazakhstan Air Force and the Aviation Services of the National Security Committee.
A400M
Last December the Air Force received its first A400M aircraft out of two ordered in 2021 making Kazakhstan the ninth operator of this aircraft in the world.
A400M will definitely support Kazakhstan in performing international peacekeeping operations and managing emergency situations while offering remarkable fuel efficiency.
© Airbus Defence and Space SAU 2024
Supply of titanium
Airbus is not just the supplier to Kazakhstan; it is also Kazakhstan’s customer. Significant volume of the titanium required for production of the aircraft parts comes from UKTMK located in the East-Kazakhstan Oblast. UKTMK supplies titanium sponge and ingots to the subsidiary of Aubert Duval in France called UKAD; UKAD supplies parts to Airbus. We may definitely say that each Airbus aircraft has a piece of Kazakhstan in it.
Reuters/TASS
What do you foresee as the prospects for the aviation market in Kazakhstan over the next 3–5 years?
Kazakhstan has demonstrated strong ambitions in developing its global aviation and transport sectors, driven by its strategic geographical location, at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. We also recognize the growing need for platforms to support search and rescue, medical aviation, and firefighting missions. Airbus is eager to offer tailored solutions to meet these demands while ensuring a high level of support for our customers.
As a vast country with evolving needs, there is significant potential for helicopter support. We are actively engaging with both private and state operators and have observed strong interest in utility, air ambulance, and firefighting configurations.
At the beginning of the year, Prime Minister Bektenov highlighted Kazakhstan’s shortage of aviation specialists. While AHKE already offers type-rating training, we are also considering ways to support ab-initio pilot training. The H125, known for its versatility, reliability, and cost-effectiveness, is an excellent platform for this purpose and could play a key role in training the next generation of pilots. We are ready to double the existing Airbus fleet over the next 5 years.
Kazakhstan has a certain interest in developing local C295 maintenance capabilities. Should all the elements for the business case be in place Airbus may consider creating its own C295 maintenance center. Right now, Airbus offers scheduled maintenance in its MRO facilities in Spain and Poland.
President Tokayev spoke on the need to develop air cargo services in Kazakhstan. We understand the topic is currently being studied at the government. Obviously, Airbus would be glad to offer its products like P2F A320 and A330 and the brand new A350F.
How does Airbus integrate sustainable aviation practices into its projects in Kazakhstan?
Kazakhstan is increasingly focused on sustainable aviation practices, working with organizations such as ICAO to reach sustainable goals aligning with global efforts to reduce the environmental impact of air travel. Airbus is eager to explore such cooperation initiatives with Kazakhstan. We consistently support the Kazakh government in the development of non-extractive activities.
Airbus is actively promoting the adoption of SAF globally. This includes the initiatives to boost both the supply and the demand for SAF. SAF accessibility could greatly benefit nations like Kazakhstan that are looking to increase their sustainability in aviation.
Currently, all Airbus aircraft are SAF compatible, and we are working on increasing blends of SAF with the goal of reaching 100% by 2023. This technological readiness is crucial for Kazakhstan as it modernizes its aviation sector.
Finally, Roman, how do you envision the future of Airbus in Kazakhstan, and what are your plans for strengthening relationships with both existing and potential partners?
At Airbus we would like to build on our strong presence in the country to expand our existing relationships and grow new partnerships. Currently, more than 100 people have already been employed in Kazakhstan. We work closely with our partners and are open to consider new projects.
Additionally, we intend to continue cooperation in the field of helicopters and military-transport aviation, providing advanced aircraft and developing the aviation ecosystem, as well as ensuring the transfer of know-how and experience whenever it proves economically feasible.
