Air Astana Takes Delivery of Fifth Boeing 757

Air Astana, Kazakhstan’s principal carrier has added a fifth Boeing 757-200 to its fleet, with the latest aircraft arriving in Almaty on 17th January 2012.

The Boeing 757 will serve on domestic trunk routes and international services to Asia, Europe and the Gulf. Following completion of all post deliver checks, the aircraft will operate its first Air Astana commercial flight from Almaty to Aktobe on January 21st, 2012. The leased aircraft has a 16 business class/ 150 economy class seating configuration and has a maximum range of 7,250 kilometres.

“Air Astana first introduced the Boeing 757 in 2003 and over the past nine years has proven to be a highly efficient and reliable aircraft.  The Boeing 757-200 features advanced technology to achieve low fuel burn and noise levels, a comfortable passenger cabin and excellent operational performance,” commented John Wainwright, Senior Vice President – Engineering, Air Astana.

Air Astana will also continue to expand its new Embraer E-190 fleet in 2012, with three additional aircraft joining the first three aircraft delivered in 2011. The fleet of E-190s will gradually replace the six Fokker 50s by the end of 2012.  The airline will also start taking delivery of a new fleet of six Airbus A320s this year.

Air Astana currently operates a fleet of 26 aircraft comprising two Boeing 767-300, five Boeing 757-200, ten Airbus A321/A320/A319, three Embraer E-190 and six Fokker 50. The airline serves 22 domestic and 27 international destinations.

Air Astana is a full member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the only airline in Kazakhstan certified to perform aircraft maintenance to European standard EASA/Part 145.  In September 2011, Air Astana passed its third IATA Operational Safety Audit, without any findings.

Air Astana is a joint venture between the National Welfare Fund “Samruk-Kazyna” JSC and the British company BAE Systems, with shares of 51% and 49% respectively.

Information courtesy of Focus on Travel News (www.ftnews.com)