Air Astana

Kazakhstan’s Air Astana poised to complete several milestones in 2012 including IPO

Air Astana is opening a new chapter in its short but so far highly successful history as the Kazakhstani carrier approaches its second decade. Air Astana, which launched services in May-2002, is now preparing for an initial public offering which should generate capital to support further rapid growth. The IPO and 10th anniversary are two of several potential milestones for the carrier in 2012. This year Air Astana will likely place its first ever widebody aircraft orders, converting an earlier letter of intent (LoI) for Boeing 787s and purchasing 767-300ERs. The carrier also plans to take delivery of its first owned aircraft this year and aims to join before the end of 2012 the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA).

Air Astana is now relatively small by global standards, operating a fleet of only 26 aircraft (24 narrowbodies and two widebodies, all of which are leased) to 54 destinations. But it has emerged as a leading carrier in the increasingly important emerging market of Central Asia, an enviable position it now seeks to capitalise on as Kazakhstan’s largest city, Almaty, is developed into a hub for the region.

Kazakhstan’s Air Astana could kick start new spate of B767 orders

Air Astana has emerged as a potential customer for new-built B767s as the fast-growing Kazakhstani carrier seeks to replace its existing B757/767 fleet prior to the anticipated delivery of its first B787 in 2019. With a deal likely to be forged by the end of this year, Air Astana could be the first of several customers for new B767s as production of the small widebody is extended on the back of the recently launched B767-based NewGen tanker programme for the US Air Force.

Air Astana reports strong first-half results

Air Astana, the largest airline based in the central Asian region, reported a net profit before tax of USD36.9 million for 1HY2011, a 10.4% increase over 2010 despite increased fuel costs and the airline’s expansion.

Asia's first time flyers the big winners as Paris Air Show PR juggernaut winds down

The major beneficiaries of this week’s frenetic (public relations) activity just outside Paris live half a world away. They are Asia’s emerging travellers – the millions that have never stepped inside an aircraft, but for whom air travel is becoming attainable. That opportunity took a major step forward as Asian carriers – many of whom the world had never heard of a decade or even five years ago – stepped up in front of the world’s media to order narrowbodies for the mass markets they see blossoming at home.

Russia, Turkey and Sweden the hottest destinations for European travellers this Summer. Egypt down

Russia, Turkey and Sweden are among the fastest growing major destinations for European travellers this summer, latest analysis from CAPA shows. According to Innovata schedule data for Apr-2011 - the first month of the summer scheduling season - Russia and Turkey will enjoy near 20% increases in passenger capacity from other European countries next month.