On 6 February 2026, a briefing for national air carriers dedicated to the management of inadmissible passengers (INAD) through the use of Advance Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) data was held at the Aviation administration of Kazakhstan (AAK) under the chairmanship of the Civil Aviation Committee of the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The event was organized with the participation and initiative of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) — including its country offices in Kazakhstan and Türkiye, the Regional Office in Vienna, and others — as well as the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), and with the participation of the Border Service of the National Security Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format with simultaneous interpretation.

Opening the briefing, Zhanibek Sharipbayev, Executive Director for Aviation Security of the AAK, emphasized the relevance of INAD-related issues and highlighted the importance of interagency cooperation and digital solutions in enhancing the efficiency of migration management and ensuring aviation security. Welcome remarks were also delivered by representatives of the Civil Aviation Committee of the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

In his welcome address, Serhan Aktoprak, Head of the IOM Office in Kazakhstan, noted that IOM remains firmly committed to supporting the measures undertaken by the country to further strengthen its system for managing inadmissible passengers and to improve API/PNR mechanisms. He emphasized that progress in the aviation sector is only possible through consistent cooperation among government authorities, air carriers, and international partners.

“Our goal is not to replace existing systems, but to work together with national authorities and airlines to identify challenges in a timely manner and jointly develop effective solutions that enhance border management while ensuring safer and more seamless travel for all,” the IOM representative stated during the briefing. During the briefing, IOM representatives shared international experience in managing INAD processes, including practices applied in Türkiye. Particular attention was paid to the humanitarian aspects of the treatment of inadmissible passengers, as well as to the role of air carriers in safeguarding their rights and ensuring dignified conditions during periods of waiting and repatriation.

The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) presented the global “CT Travel” initiative aimed at strengthening border security and preventing irregular movements, including terrorist travel, through the effective use of API/PNR data. Participants were presented with examples of successful programme implementation in a number of countries, and the importance of maintaining a balance between security objectives, data protection principles, and humanitarian considerations was underscored.

Representatives of the Border Service of the National Security Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan informed participants about the current status of the implementation of the API/PNR system, as well as the legal and operational aspects of its application. Together with IOM Kazakhstan, they presented the concept of the project “Strengthening Border Security through Passenger Data Processing in the Republic of Kazakhstan”, including its phases, expected outcomes, and alignment with international standards.

A separate session was dedicated to discussions with airlines, during which participants exchanged views, asked questions, and expressed interest in further developing cooperation, including refining the project concept.

Following the briefing, participants confirmed a shared understanding of the importance of further development and integration of API/PNR systems as a tool for reducing the number of INAD cases, optimizing airline costs, and enhancing the effectiveness of border and migration control. Concrete next steps were identified to continue interagency and international cooperation in this area, including the potential involvement of foreign air carriers.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/transport/press/news/details/1158051?lang=kk