Neelam Mathews

As Kazakhstan’s economy starts to bounce back after two years of currency devaluation, GDP declines and suppressed oil prices, Almaty-based Air Astana has resumed expanding its scope of operations in Russia, the Central Asian countries, South Asia and China. Located at the crossroads of Asia and Europe, Kazakhstan stands geographically well positioned to attract transit traffic, which accounts for a growing proportion of Air Astana’s revenues. &nbsp;

 


Air Astana flies to 46&nbsp;international&nbsp;and 20 domestic destinations. “We are conscious the domestic market is very limited…That is why we are here [in India],” Air Astana CEO Peter Foster told AIN during a recent interview in Delhi. “Because of our geographical location, we can fly from nowhere to anywhere.”

 


Seventeen Airbus A320neos, five Embraer E190s and three Boeing 787s have fueled Air Astana’s fleet expansion. It expects to take delivery of another two A320neos by the end of the year, and plans call for the fleet to more than double in size, to 64 aircraft, by 2025.

 


Having completed 13 years of service in India, Air Astana plans to increase its three-times-weekly service between Astana and Delhi to a daily flight, followed by service to Mumbai in 2019. However, securing slots at the two capacity constrained airports presents a major challenge, said Foster.

 


“In Delhi, we can get the slots, not the best timings,” Foster told AIN. Of course, airport overcrowding isn’t specific to India: the airline had planned to add two more frequencies to Beijing this year but had to withdraw because of a paucity of slots.

 


“This debate is all about slots as Air India has air traffic rights on prime international routes,” said Foster in reference to the possible privatization of Air India. “Slots&nbsp;have started to feature on several&nbsp;airlines'&nbsp;balance sheets&nbsp;as assets. While they are not a tradeable commodity, they are becoming so.”

 


Plans for expansion to Asia Pacific include more flights to Bangkok, Seoul, Chengdu, and Xian by 2020 and to Hong Kong next year in codeshare with Cathay Pacific Foster expects to sign soon. At this point New York remains only a possibility. “If we decide to, it will be using the 787,” he said.

 


Foster confirmed the airline—49 percent owned by BAE Systems and 51 percent by Kazakh sovereign wealth fund Samruk-Kazyna—would release its planned initial public offering with the stock exchanges of Astana and London in October 2018. Its cost per available seat kilometer (ASK)&nbsp;remains below five cents, making it one of the world’s lowest cost full-service airlines.

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

Air Astana Sees Rebound Tied to Kazakhstan’s Recovery 

Expansion plans include more service into India

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Agreement between start-ups could lead to orders for up to 15 aircraft

Skyhop Plans Island Routes With Noemi's Electric Seaplane

Howard Hardee

Airline plans to gradually replace its Embraer E-Jet fleet

A220’s Performance Drives BermudAir’s Fleet Growth

Partners say eVTOLs could accelerate response times in crowded Indian cities

Air India Backs SkyDrive Emergency Medical eVTOL Plans

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Rival Boeing arguably claimed bragging rights at the Farnborough International show

Airbus Balances Shareholder Returns and New Aircraft

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

Connections to London Heathrow and Manchester airports will start first

Virgin Firms Up eVTOL Air Taxi Alliance with Joby

News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

More In Airlines

Skyhop Plans Island Routes With Noemi's Electric Seaplane

Agreement between start-ups could lead to orders for up to 15 aircraft

A220’s Performance Drives BermudAir’s Fleet Growth

Airline plans to gradually replace its Embraer E-Jet fleet

Air India Backs SkyDrive Emergency Medical eVTOL Plans

Partners say eVTOLs could accelerate response times in crowded Indian cities

Airbus Balances Shareholder Returns and New Aircraft

Rival Boeing arguably claimed bragging rights at the Farnborough International show

Virgin Firms Up eVTOL Air Taxi Alliance with Joby

Connections to London Heathrow and Manchester airports will start first

ATR Chases New Regional Markets for Twin Turboprops

Iran war and wider geopolitical pressure stall buying decisions

Embraer Racks Up E-Jet Orders at Farnborough

30 firm orders led by Abra

Gulf Air May Buy JetZero’s Blended-wing-body Z4

Japan Airlines also expresses interest at Farnborough Airshow

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN