The decision to operate a flight is made individually for each aircraft. Before every departure, several key conditions must be met at the same time. Only when all these requirements are fulfilled does an aircraft receive clearance to take off, DKNews.kz reports.
According to FlyArystan, safety and operational readiness always remain the airline’s top priorities. In certain situations, this may lead to delays, rescheduling, or cancellations, but the goal remains unchanged — to ensure a safe flight for both passengers and crew. The airline shared more details on the key factors in its official Telegram channel.
Safety Comes First
Before each flight, the following conditions are thoroughly checked:
- the aircraft must be technically serviceable;
- the crew must be fully prepared and cleared for the flight;
- weather conditions must be within approved safety limits;
- the airport must be ready to receive and dispatch the aircraft;
- the route must have a confirmed airspace corridor.
Only when all these factors align is a flight authorized for departure.
Weather Is Important, but Not the Only Factor
One of the most significant factors affecting departure decisions is weather conditions. Visibility, wind, fog, precipitation, or icing may be acceptable for one aircraft type but restrictive for another.
Aviation relies on precise meteorological data and established safety standards, not subjective judgment. Even under identical weather conditions, different aircraft types have different operational limits.
For example, wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing 767 and narrow-body models including the Airbus A320 and A321 have distinct performance characteristics. FlyArystan operates exclusively Airbus A320 aircraft. The final decision on whether a flight can proceed is made by the aircraft commander, in accordance with Kazakhstan’s Civil Aviation Flight Operations Rules No. 509.
Why Airport Characteristics Matter
The decision to operate a flight is also influenced by the specific features of each airport. Infrastructure varies significantly: some airports have only one runway, limited navigation systems, or challenging terrain, including mountains or dense urban development.
In such conditions, takeoffs and landings may only be possible from certain directions. If wind direction or visibility along that approach does not meet safety requirements, the flight may be delayed, diverted to an alternate airport, or rescheduled.
For example, Shymkent Airport has relatively high weather minimums for landing, which means that under certain meteorological conditions, landings for some aircraft types may be temporarily unavailable.
Crew and Operational Factors
Flights to airports with complex terrain or mountainous surroundings require crews to hold specific qualifications and authorizations. When planning flights, the airline considers crew availability and qualifications and may adjust schedules if necessary to maintain safety and regulatory compliance.
Operational factors also play a role. An aircraft can depart only after:
- the crew has arrived from a previous flight;
- all baggage and cargo checks are completed;
- ground handling services are fully prepared.
These procedures are essential for ensuring both safety and punctuality.
When the Decision Is Beyond the Airline’s Control
Flight operations are also affected by overall air traffic congestion. When airports or airspace become overloaded, air traffic control services may temporarily restrict departures or adjust departure times to maintain safe separation between aircraft.
In such cases, delays are caused not by the airline or the airport, but by the general organization of air traffic.
What Passengers Can Do
To better navigate potential delays, FlyArystan recommends that passengers:
- keep their contact details up to date — flight updates are sent via WhatsApp, SMS, or email;
- check the flight status on the airline’s website or mobile app;
- consider weather conditions at both departure and arrival airports;
- allow extra time if the trip involves a connection;
- familiarize themselves with the airline’s rules and services to understand what support is provided in case of delays.
Why This Matters
Aviation remains one of the safest modes of transportation thanks to strict oversight of aircraft condition and operational processes. While schedule changes can sometimes be unavoidable, it is impor
