Kyrgyzstan Revokes TezJet License Following MD-83 Taxiing Gear Collapse
Civil aviation agency initiates inspections of country’s carriers and warns operators of tough penalties for violations. Kyrgyzstan's air transport regulator has revoked the operating licence of carrier TezJet, after uncovering "serious" violations of aviation rules. The revocation by the Kyrgyz state agency for civil aviation follows a gear-collapse accident involving a Boeing MD-83 at Bishkek, as the aircraft taxied for a departure to Osh on 7 July. After opening an inquiry into the occurrence, the agency carried out unscheduled inspections of TezJet. "The inspection revealed serious violations of the aviation legislation of the Kyrgyz Republic that directly affect flight safety," it says. It adds that, owing to the discovery, it has "decided to revoke the licence" of TezJet. "Passenger safety is the top priority for the state civil aviation agency," it warns. In the aftermath of the TezJet accident the agency has also initiated plans to extend the inspections to all Kyrgyz carriers. "The strictest measures are taken against any operator that poses a threat to flight safety — regardless of the airline’s name, how long it has been operating, or its position in the aviation industry," it says. The measures underline the Kyrgyz authorities' keenness to crack down, having only just been removed from the European Commission's blacklist after two decades. This followed a comprehensive on-site evaluation in March this year by European safety regulators. "Particular attention was also given to the [civil aviation agency's] ability to ensure effective oversight of air carriers certified in Kyrgyzstan," states documentation which accompanied the blacklist revision in June. The assessment confirmed that the agency has enhanced its aviation safety oversight system and made substantial progress in implementing a revised air code. "In the area of flight operations, the [agency] has established appropriate certification and surveillance procedures, including elements of risk-based oversight and recertification activities under the revised legal framework," the documentation adds.