As the flag carrier of Kazakhstan, we are honoured to play a role in facilitating connections among people, cultures, and dreams. Since 2002, we have consistently delivered travel experiences that meet high standards for safety, performance, and customer service.
At the heart of Air Astana's achievements lies a robust corporate structure, enabling reliable operations and strategic decision-making. The industry-leading operational performance in the region and beyond resonates with the enduring values and mission that define our corporate identity.
Peter Foster entered the airline industry immediately after graduating from Cambridge University in 1982, as a management trainee of John Swire and Sons (HK) Ltd, the owners of Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. From 1982 to 1999, he served in a variety of management and senior management positions with CPA in Hong Kong, Asia, Australia and Europe, and underwent business management training at INSEAD, France. Mr. Foster left Cathay Pacific Airways in 1999 to head up the rehabilitation team of Philippine Airlines Inc. He subsequently served as Chief Executive Officer of Royal Brunei Airlines from 2002 to 2005 prior to his appointment as President of Air Astana. In the 2015 UK New Year’s Honours List Peter Foster was awarded Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to British aviation in Kazakhstan.
Ibrahim is one of the earlier employees of Air Astana since 2003 and has served the company in a range of areas. He started his career in the travel industry 25 years ago and has an aviation experience of 20 years. Prior to joining Air Astana, he worked for KLM, briefly in the Middle East and thereafter Almaty in charge of the organisation in Kazakhstan and neighboring countries. He is a board member at EUROBAK serving his third term. Ibrahim received his MBA degree from Boğaziçi University, Istanbul, and his undergraduate in Economics from Marmara University.
Filippos' career in aviation spans over 35 years with more than 20 years of experience in flight operations management. In 1989, he joined Olympic Airways, the flag carrier of Greece, where he flew several aircraft types as First Officer and Captain and held a number of senior appointments including Director of Standards and Post Holder Training. He left Olympic in 2013 to join Air Astana as the Director of Operational Training and in November 2022 was appointed to the role of Chief Operating Officer.
Gerhard started his career as an Air Force navigator and is a qualified Accident Investigator with qualifications in (Aviation) Safety Programme management, Crew Resource Management, and Flight Procedure Design. He holds a Bachelors degree in Commerce and an Honours degree in Transport Economics from the University of South Africa. He has been actively involved in aviation safety management for the past 25 years including as Managing Consultant with BAE Systems.
Yevgeniya started her career at Air Astana Group in 2002 as Executive Assistant to the President, and in 2005 headed the HR Department. She has a diploma in low and English/French from Karaganda State University and has successfully completed the Director Development Programme at the Cranfield School of Management, United Kingdom. Yevgeniya is a certified senior HR professional international (SPHRi) and a member of the Airline People Directors Council. Previously she worked at the Intercontinental Hotel.
The Board of Directors is the governing body of Air Astana JSC responsible for developing the Company’s strategy, general management of its activities and control over the activity of the Executive Body. The Board of Directors performs its functions in accordance with the Charter, the Corporate Governance Code and other internal documents of the Company.
The Board of Directors shall consist of nine members, of which at least one-third shall be independent directors. The Board of Directors shall include the Chief Executive Officer. The Board of Directors shall be elected by a General Shareholders’ Meeting.
Members of the Board of Directors of Air Astana JSC:
- Nurlan Zhakupov, Chairman of the Board of Directors (JSC Samruk-Kazyna National Welfare Fund)
- Aidar Ryskulov, Member of the Board of Directors (JSC Samruk-Kazyna National Welfare Fund)
- Simon Wood, Member of the Board of Directors (BAE Systems plc)
- Peter Foster, Member of the Board of Directors (CEO, Air Astana JSC)
- Garry Kingshott, Independent Director
- Janet Heckman, Independent Director
- Keith Gaebel, Independent Director
- Yeldar Abdrazakov, Independent Director
- Diyas Assanov, Independent Director
The position of Corporate Secretary was established based on the decision of the Board of Directors of Air Astana on 6 December 2007. Ms. Yelena Kondachkova was appointed as a Corporate Secretary.
The Corporate Secretary has the key role in an open dialogue between the Board of Directors and the Executive Body. The Corporate Secretary ensures smooth coordination between the Company’s bodies and ensures compliance of the Company's bodies with legislative and corporate requirements.
The Corporate Secretary ensures due consideration by the Company’s relevant bodies of the shareholders’ appeals and settlement of conflicts related to violation of shareholders’ rights.
The responsibilities of the Corporate Secretary include ensuring a steady flow of information within the Board of Directors, its Committees, between the Executive Body and the Board of Directors, as well as assisting in the process of initiation of new Directors.
The status, functions, and duties of the Corporate Secretary are established in the internal documents of the Company.
Appointment and dismissal of the Corporate Secretary is the responsibility of the Board of Directors.
Strategic Planning Committee:
- Mr. Garry Kingshott, Independent Director of the Company, Chair of the Committee;
- Ms. Janet Heckman, Independent Director of the Company, member of the Committee;
- Mr. Aidar Ryskulov, Member of the Board of Directors, member of the Committee;
- Mr. Simon Wood, Member of the Board of Directors, member of the Committee.
Regulations of the Strategic Planning Committee
Nomination and Remuneration Committee:
- Ms. Janet Heckman, Independent Director of the Company, Chair of the Committee;
- Mr. Garry Kingshott, Independent Director of the Company, member of the Committee;
- Mr. Yeldar Abdrazakov, Independent Director of the Company, member of the Committee;
- Mr. Nurlan Zhakupov, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company, member of the Committee.
- Mr. Simon Wood, Member of the Board of Directors, member of the Committee.
Regulations of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee
Audit Committee:
- Mr. Keith Gaebel, Independent Director of the Company, Chair of the Committee;
- Ms. Janet Heckman, Independent Director of the Company, member of the Committee.
- Mr. Yeldar Abdrazakov, Independent Director of the Company, member of the Committee.
Regulations of the Audit Committee
ESG Committee:
- Mr. Yeldar Abdrazakov, Independent Director of the Company, Chair of the Committee;
- Ms. Janet Heckman, Independent Director of the Company, member of the Committee;
- Mr. Simon Wood, Member of the Board of Directors of the Company, member of the Committee;
- Mr. Aidar Ryskulov, Member of the Board of Directors, member of the Committee.
Regulations of the ESG Committee
Treasury Committee:
- Mr. Keith Gaebel, Independent Director of the Company, Chair of the Committee;
- Mr. Aidar Ryskulov, Member of the Board of Directors of the Company, member of the Committee;
- Mr. Simon Wood, Member of the Board of Directors, member of the Committee.
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