17 June 2008
On 17 June 2008 at Astana’s International Airport, Air Astana presented a
new Airbus A-320, symbolizing the development of regional and
international aviation at the capital of Kazakhstan. The Airbus A-320
registered number Р4-WAS, “Whisky” was delivered from Airbus premises in
Toulouse city to to Astana to mark the 6th anniversary of the airline
and 10th anniversary of Astana city. Minister of Transport and
Communications Serik Ahmetov, Astana city’s vice-akim Amirhan
Rahimzhanov, vice-minister of Transport and Communications Azat
Bekturov, president of International airport of Astana Abdel
Kipshakbayev, CIS regional sales director of Airbus Concern Antoine
Compt and representatives from Aviation Authorities, Administration of
the city, Diplomatic corps, Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan,
Ministries, Departments and Committees participated in the ceremony. The
program consisted of a press-conference, and a ribbon cutting ceremony
and unique laser show in the midst of which was a new Airbus A-320.
The new aircraft differs from its precedents with its improved design of
the air show and renewed symbols, beside that it equipped with modern
system of management of entertaining and SATCOM integral system,
allowing to support the telephonic connection with the crew directly
from the office.
The Airbus A-320 will be based in Astana and will service routes such as
Astana – Aktobe – Astana (4 times per week); Astana – Oskemen – Astana
(3 times per week); Astana – Almaty – Astana (supplemental 5 frequencies
per week); Astana – Istanbul – Astana (one more frequency); Astana –
Moscow – Astana (one more frequency) and a new seasonal direction –
Astana – Antalya – Astana (2 times per week). Also a new connecting
flights will appear through Astana, Aktobe – Dubai, Oskemen – Frankfurt,
Petropavlovsk – Moscow etc. the quantity of flights from Astana to
Frankfurt will be increased from 4 times per week to 5 times in July and
then to 6 times in September. The Airbus A-320 may replace the turbo
propeller Fokker-50, used by the Company on some domestic routes. In
general by 2010, Air Astana is expecting to replace all of the Fokker-50
from its fleet. The increase of the quantity of air carriers at the
International airport of Astana city will support the realization of the
Ministry of Transport and Communications of Kazakhstan’s plan for
establishing the Astana airport as the biggest Aviation Technical Center
in Central Asia and West Siberia.
Peter Foster, President of Air Astana remarked “This year Air Astana
celebrated its 6th year of operation, and its first flight from Almaty
to Astana. It is symbolic that on the 10th anniversary of the capital
city of Kazakhstan, Air Astana plans major increases of flight
frequencies from/to the International Airport of Astana. The
presentation of a new aircraft in Astana is our gift to the capital city
of Kazakhstan. In July we are expecting the arrival of one more Airbus
A-320 and in September Airbus A-319. 11 of June the document about
purchasing 6 more aircrafts from Airbus A-320 series were signed.
Financial support of the purchase of the aircraft will be funded by the
company by itself without using State warranties and without using
finances from the State budget. All this tells us that the company is
working by making plans in order to achieve its goal – to increase its
aircraft fleet of aircraft to 63 by 2022 and become the leading airline
in CIS”.
Air Astana is a full member of IATA and the only airline in
Kazakhstan certified for aircrafts maintenance to European EASA/Part 145
standards.
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Air Astana JSC is a joint enterprise of the Kazakhstan State Holding, Samruk and British company BAE Systems
with share-holdings of 51% and 49% respectively.
Currently the Air Astana aircraft fleet consists of western aircrafts such as Boeing B767-300, В757-200,
Airbus А321, А320, and Fokker F50.