About Air Astana

Air Astana Update

At the present, Air Astana’s fleet consists of thirteen modern aircraft: three Boeing 737-700800, four Boeing 757-200, five Fokker-50, and one Airbus A320. From 2007 until 2011, Air Astana plans to purchase six new aircraft for its use. So by the year 2014, together with the planned acquisition of purchase options on the same quantity of aircraft, Air Astana’s fleet will make include 34 modern western jets. This number will include new wide-body long-range aircraft that will be used exclusively on flights to the countries of Europe and Asia. By this period 50% of machinery will be owned by Air Astana.

Simultaneously with the increase in the volume of passengers and renovation of its fleet, the company is working on systematically raising the level of in-flight service and to the introduction of new products in business and economy classes that will exceed even European standards. For instance, the menu of in-flight meals and beverages bar will be revamped and plasticware will be replaced with porcelain and glass. Personal compact TV sets will be installed in the business class as well, and a special frequent flier program will be introduced for passengers who often fly on Air Astana. On flights from Almaty to Astana and on a number of other domestic flights, hot meals are served even in economy class. At this time, a new training program for steward and ground operation agents is being introduced.

As to the current state of affairs, according to Mr. Foster, Air Astana Joint Stock Company has good operational performance and safety statistics on the level of other leading world airlines. In ratings published in August, 2005 by the well known industry magazine Airline Business, Air Astana was rated fourth among the world’s 200 leading airlines in terms of the rate of growth of passenger volume and total number of kilometers traveled by passengers in 2004.

“In 2005 we had an average reliability of 99.4%, while our average punctuality was 83%, says Mr. Foster, our airline’s activities have always conformed to international standards since it started its activities in 2002. We continuously are working on the improvement of the level of service, striving to create a company of international class, like, for example, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and Emirates.”

The airline is a full member of the IATA (International Association of Air Transport) and is the only airline in Kazakhstan which is EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) JAR-145 certified to perform aircraft maintenance (JAR – Joint Aviation Regulations).