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Air Astana Buys 7 Boeing Planes
4 Boeing 767-300ER Aircraft,
3 Dreamliners: USD 1.3 billion,
the largest in the history of civil aviation of Kazakhstan.
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SEATTLE, March 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Air Astana have announced an order for four 767-300ERs (Extended Range) and three 787-8s. The order is valued at $1.3 billion at current list prices, making this the largest single order for commercial airplanes in Kazakhstan's history. "Our decision to order the Boeing airplanes is part of Air Astana's long-term growth strategy to expand and modernize our fleet with newer, more fuel-efficient airplanes to serve domestic, regional and international routes," said Peter Foster, president, Air Astana. "In addition, we want to offer an enhanced travel experience for our customers which we shall be able to do on these airplanes." In addition to bringing big-jet ranges to mid-size airplanes, the 787 provides airlines with unmatched fuel efficiency using 20 percent less fuel than today's similarly sized airplanes. Passengers will also see improvements on the 787, from an interior environment with higher humidity to increased comfort and convenience. The Boeing 767 family is a complete family of clean, quiet, fuel-efficient airplanes that provide maximum market versatility in the 200- to 300-seat market. Boeing has delivered more than 1,000 767s that are flown by over 120 operators around the world. "We are extremely pleased that Air Astana has partnered with Boeing to participate in the region's growing air transport market," said Marty Bentrott, vice president of sales for Middle East, Russia and Central Asia, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "Today, airlines are increasingly looking at lower operating costs and fuel efficiency without compromising on technological innovations and customer experience. We are confident that both the 767-300ER and the 787 Dreamliner will play an important role as Air Astana continues with its expansion plans." Contact: Saffana Michael Photo and caption will be available here: http://boeing.mediaroom.com SOURCE: Boeing. Air Astana was incorporated in late 2001. Its maiden flight was on 15th May 2002 from Almaty to Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. Shareholders for Air Astana are the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and BAE Systems PLC of the UK. These shareholders remain committed partners in the airline, with the Government holding a 51% share through its Samruk-Kazyna National Welfare Fund, and BAE Systems PLC holding 49%. However, according to Bloomberg News dated Feb. 4th, 2012, Air Astana may sell shares as part of a government drive to reduce stakes in assets owned by Samruk-Kazyna, the Economic Development and Trade Ministry said in August, 2011. The company ordered new aircraft valued at $1 billion from Airbus SAS, Boeing Co. (BA) and Embraer SA to expand and modernize its fleet, Air Astana President Peter Foster said Feb. 1. 2012. Kazakhstan’s sovereign wealth fund Samruk-Kazyna is in talks to acquire a 49 percent stake held in Air Astana by BAE Systems Plc (BA/), Europe’s largest defense group, before a possible initial public offering next year. “We need to buy BAE Systems’ stake in Air Astana to sell between 10 percent and 15 percent” to Kazakh citizens, which is why there is no final decision on the IPO yet, Air Astana Chairman Nurzhan Baidauletov, who is also a managing director at Samruk-Kazyna, told reporters in Almaty today. The fund, which owns 51 percent in the airline, doesn’t want to reduce its stake, he said. Air Astana is the only airline in Kazakhstan to maintain its fleet to audited EU EASA 145 standards. In 2008 it was admitted to the register of the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) – one of of the few airlines in the Common wealth of Independent States (CIS) to have achieved this. Air Astana is the de facto national airline and flag carrier of Republic of Kazakhstan, based in Almaty, Kazakhstan. It operates scheduled domestic and international services on 56 routes from its main hub, Almaty International Airport, and from its 2 secondary hubs, Astana International Airport and Atyrau Airport. It is a joint venture between Kazakhstan’s sovereign wealth fund Samruk-Kazyna (51%), and BAE Systems PLC (49%). It was incorporated in October 2001 and started commercial flights on 15 May 2002. Today the airline operates a fleet of 26 western aircraft with an average age of 11 years for its jet aircraft, close to 50 domestic and international routes. Its passengers are served by 3,500 highly-qualified staff, the majority of whom are from Kazakhstan, supplemented by experienced foreign personnel. Since autumn 2005 the Air Astana team has been headed by Peter Foster, an airline executive with more than 25 years’ experience, who reports to the Board of Directors. The airline is now recognized as a clear leader in the CIS region, as it continues to compliment its modern fleet with a large number of technical and service innovations designed to ensure that air travel to, from and within Kazakhstan is as reliable and convenient as possible. You will be more familiar with the following Youtube photos what he has done in the past.
The following Youtube shows that Airstana President, Peter Foster explains about Air Astana.
Air Astana recently placed an order for new Airbus 320 family aircraft, introduced the Embraer E190 for regional services in addition to the Boeing 757-200 and Boeing 767-300ER fleet and aims to grow its fleet to 34 aircraft by 2016, and to 43 aircraft by 2020. In addition, March 1st, 2012, Air Astana Buys 7 Boeing Planes 4 Boeing 767-300ER Aircraft,
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