Air Astana Logo

Originating from Almaty, Kazakhstan, Air Astana rose to prominence as the country’s flagship airline after commencing operations in 2002. The airline manages various Boeing and Embraer aircraft operating across a wide network of domestic and international routes.

Air Astana’s creation stems from a partnership between Kazakhstan’s sovereign wealth fund, Samruk-Kazyna, and BAE Systems, a British multinational. Samruk-Kazyna holds a slight majority stake of 51% in the airline, with BAE Systems possessing the remaining 49%.

The airline’s primary base of operations is Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport, providing connectivity to over 60 destinations spanning Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. By 2022, Air Astana had grown into a substantial employer with around 4,500 employees. In 2019, it successfully transported over 4 million passengers, indicating its capacity and reliability.

Positioning itself as a full-service carrier, Air Astana offers its passengers a two-tier cabin structure, in-flight meals, and additional amenities. Its commitment to safety has not gone unnoticed, with airlineratings.com bestowing a perfect seven-star rating for its safety record.

One of the standout traits of Air Astana is its relatively young fleet, underlining its commitment to modern, efficient flight operations. This emphasis on providing reliable service and maintaining punctuality has earned it prestigious awards, including the “Best Airline Central Asia” title at the Skytrax World Airline Awards.

Air Astana vies with competitors like SCAT Airlines and Bek Air in the domestic market. Despite the competition, its service excellence and reputation position it strongly within Kazakhstan’s aviation landscape.