What happened
Air Astana, the national carrier of Kazakhstan, has officially filed with the US Department of Transportation (DOT) requesting authority to operate scheduled passenger flights between Kazakhstan and the United States. The airline targets a 2027 launch, contingent on Kazakhstan receiving an IASA Category 1 rating from the FAA, a prerequisite for such service. The filing follows the appointment of an American with extensive FAA experience to lead Kazakhstan's aviation administration, signaling serious intent to secure the rating. While the specific US destination is unconfirmed, New York is considered the most likely candidate given typical airline strategies. The service would likely utilize Air Astana's incoming Boeing 787 fleet