Network
Air Astana expanded its route network in 2023 with new service launches and increased frequencies to destinations in China, India, Central & Southeast Asia, Caucasus, Mediterranean, Middle East and the United Kingdom. Air Astana currently operates 50 routes to 34 destinations and carried 4.4 million passengers for the period from 30 September 2022 to 30 September 2023.
The year also notably marked 20 year route anniversaries for Air Astana on services to Bangkok, Frankfurt, Istanbul and Seoul, whilst those to Beijing and Dubai stretch back even longer to the airline’s earliest days.
Fleet
The fleet of Air Astana and low-cost carrier FlyArystan increased to 49 aircraft, including Airbus, Boeing and Embraer types. The group plans to further expand the fleet over the next five years, which will then only comprise of Airbus A320neo/A321neo/A321LR and Boeing 787.
The continued fleet expansion demonstrates the airline’s commitment to operate environmentally efficient aircraft, which also offer increased passenger comfort.
Crew Training
With the fleet expanding and an associated need for increased flight and cabin crew numbers, Air Astana officially commissioned a new Flight Training Centre in Astana. The new training centre is equipped with the very latest generation L3 Harris Reality Seven full-flight-simulator that meet international standards. The simulator is the first one to enter service with Air Astana and the first ever installation in Kazakhstan. Air Astana has also commissioned a Cabin Emergency Evacuation Trainer and Real Fire Fighting Trainer.
Air Astana’s industry leading ab-initio pilot training programme continued to a be great success in 2023. Since its launch in 2008, 270 cadets have graduated from the programme and many graduates are already serving as Captains.
MRO
Air Astana successfully completed its first six-year C-Check at the carrier’s engineering and technical center in Astana in December. In 2019, Air Astana became the first airline in Kazakhstan able to independently perform heavy maintenance C1 and C2 checks on Airbus family aircraft at its engineering bases in Almaty and Astana and since then, it has serviced 24 aircraft. Eight more Airbus family aircraft in the fleet are due for maintenance in 2024, three of which involve a full six-year C-check.
Safety
Air Astana successfully completed the International Air Transport Association’s Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) for the ninth time in September.
Passenger Service Excellence Awards
Air Astana continued to boost its long-established reputation for outstanding passenger service delivery in 2023, with Skytrax World Airline Awards being received for “Best Airline in Central Asia and CIS” for the eleventh time and “Best Airline Staff Service in Central Asia and the CIS” award for the second time. Air Astana also collected a series of awards from the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) during the year, including a five-star rating in the major airline category.
ESG
Air Astana, as a key player in the aviation sector of the Republic of Kazakhstan, has developed a strategy and plan for ESG initiatives to implement in its operations. Air Astana Group maintains an outstanding track record in health and safety, strong social responsibility and governance that drive operational excellence and support sustainable growth of the company.
Issued on behalf of Air Astana Group by Euro Asia Communications, Singapore
