Air Astana Group Reports Strong Growth in First Year as Public Company, Expands Network and Fleet

Tuesday, March 18, 2025

Kazakhstan’s leading airline group, Air Astana, has successfully completed its first year as a publicly traded company, achieving a 12.4% increase in revenue, 14.9% rise in operating profit, and a passenger surge to nine million—an 11.2% jump from 2023.

This impressive growth was fueled by an expanded Airbus fleet and network development, reinforcing Kazakhstan’s aviation sector, which aligns with the Kazakhstan Civil Aviation Committee (CAC) and International Air Transport Association (IATA) initiatives to enhance connectivity.

Fulfilling IPO Commitments and Navigating Industry Challenges

The Air Astana Group, which includes full-service carrier Air Astana and low-cost airline FlyArystan, has met all key operational and financial targets since its 2024 Initial Public Offering (IPO). Despite global industry challenges, capacity constraints, and Pratt & Whitney GTF engine durability issues, the group strategically managed fleet expansion and operational efficiency.

CEO Peter Foster emphasized the group’s commitment to fleet optimization and expanding market reach:

“We continue to manage fleet growth proactively, adding eight net new aircraft in 2024. Our fleet has expanded to 60 aircraft and is expected to reach 63 by year-end. We also launched 21 new routes in 2024, with 14 in the fourth quarter alone.”

Proactively Managing Engine Durability Challenges

With a fleet dominated by Airbus A320neo family aircraft, Air Astana faced engine supply constraints due to Pratt & Whitney GTF powerplant issues. To mitigate disruptions, the airline:

• Implemented an engine resting program during the low season.
• Conducted 93 engine replacements in 2024 to maintain operational efficiency.
• Acquired four additional Airbus A320ceo aircraft, with another arriving in Q1 2025.
• Expanded its spare engine inventory to 13 to support fleet reliability.

While new engines are arriving fault-free, Air Astana anticipates ongoing fleet management challenges and has projected an 18-month engine off-wing time for replacements.

Expanding Global Network: Over 100 Routes in 22 Countries

The Air Astana Group’s network now includes 107 routes (74 international, 33 domestic) across 45 destinations in 22 countries. In 2024, the airline introduced new routes to India, China, Vietnam, and the Gulf, aligning with Kazakhstan’s Aviation Industry Development Plan to enhance international connectivity.

In 2025, eight new routes are planned, including:

• Almaty to Frankfurt, Guangzhou, Mumbai, Da Nang, and Nha Trang.
• Expansion of long-haul narrowbody flights using Airbus A321LR with auxiliary fuel tanks.

Strengthening International Partnerships with Codeshare Agreements

Air Astana is enhancing global partnerships, securing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China Southern Airlines for codeshares across China, Kazakhstan, Central Asia, and East Asia. The airline has also expanded its codeshare and interline agreements:

• Nine codeshare partnerships, contributing over 150,000 passengers (8% of international traffic).
• A new codeshare with Japan Airlines, facilitating seamless connectivity between Kazakhstan and Japan, ahead of the Almaty-Tokyo route launch in 2026.

FlyArystan Expands as an Independent Carrier

A major milestone in 2024 was FlyArystan’s transition to an independent Air Operator Certificate (AOC) on April 1, 2024. This move allows FlyArystan to operate under its own IATA code (FS) while remaining a wholly owned subsidiary of Air Astana Group, reinforcing its low-cost carrier (LCC) model for aggressive market expansion.

Kazakhstan’s Aviation Growth Strategy

Air Astana’s continued success aligns with Kazakhstan’s Civil Aviation Committee (CAC) objectives, which focus on:

• Expanding international air traffic rights.
• Increasing fleet modernization and sustainability efforts.
• Enhancing the country’s role as a regional aviation hub.

With its record growth, fleet expansion, and new market strategies, Air Astana is poised to further solidify its position as Central Asia’s leading airline, strengthening Kazakhstan’s global aviation footprint.

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