JSC Air Astana 8 years of successful operations!

Air Astana operates on the market of aviation industry for 8 years, demonstrating stable growth and high operational indicators. The national air carrier of Kazakhstan proved to its passengers, shareholders and society in which the company operates that within short period of time of existence, the company could achieve great results. Air Astana, a business card of Kazakhstan, is all about high standards of safety, hospitality and convenience from the heart of Eurasia.

This year the national air carrier has marked its 8^th anniversary by launching new routes and plans. In 2010 we plan to open air services between Almaty and Urumqi, the business centre of western China, Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, and Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. These destinations will add to the existing regional flights map. Currently, Air Astana operates flights from Almaty to Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan, Bishkek, capital of Kirgizstan and Novosibirsk, industrial and cultural centre of South Russia. In addition, the company tests the possibility to launch air connection to Omsk and Yekaterinburg. Embraer E-190, the aircraft of a new generation was selected to operate on regional flights. First of the 3 aircrafts, acquired in operational leasing will be delivered by 2011. Until Е-190 will be delivered to Kazakhstan, destinations will be served by Airbus A320.

"Destinations from Almaty to bordering countries of Kazakhstan and Central Asian countries that were launched in 2008-2009 are very popular among our passengers. That's why we continue to expand geography of regional flights; in the nearest future we will start new flights to China, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Passengers travelling on regional destinations of Air Astana we will offer convenient connections with other Air Astana flights to the cities of Asia, Europe and Middle East," comments Peter Foster, president of JSC Air Astana.

Simultaneously with the development of the flights map this year Air Astana continues to implement technological innovations and develops it service both in the sky and on the ground. Last year Air Astana opened its own wide net of sales, providing its passengers possibility to purchase tickets via company's website, sales office, booking and information centre, etc. In 2010 KCTV, personal entertainment system with the wide choice of movies, audio programs and video games were offered to business class passengers. KCTV project offers business class passengers personal multimedia players that allows choosing  feature or documentary films, music, video game and gain control over viewing. Currently, project is launched on selected destinations. After sometime, the number of flights with such service will increase. KCTV demonstrates dedication  of the company to continuous development of the quality of a service provided, including improvement of service provided on board. Moreover, national air carrier of Kazakhstan was awarded 3^rd place in the category of The Best airline of Eastern Europe as a part of prestigious nominations of The Skytrax 2010 World Airline Awards.  The winners were selected by voting carried out among 17.9 million travelers from 100 countries. Air Astana was the only airline from the Central Asia and the CIS that was marked in the rating, which demonstrates company's leading position in this region. That is how Air Astana earned reputation of a reliable, successful airline not only in Kazakhstan but also abroad. But how it all started?

Air Astana was founded in 2001. On 15^th of May 2002 the company operated its first flight between Almaty and Astana. Flight inauguration was visited by Nursultan Nazarbayev, the president of Republics of Kazakhstan and Sir Richard Evans, representing the two shareholders of the airline: Kazakhstan government and BAE Systems PLC, British company. Currently, Air Astana route map counts 23 domestic and 24 international destinations, operated on 22 modern western aircrafts.

"On behalf of the senior management of the airline I would like to thank our passengers for choosing national air carrier, our employees for allegiance and contribution, our partners for effective cooperation and our shareholders for trust and given honour to represent civil aviation of Kazakhstan. In numerology, the number eight is a symbol of eternity, wealth, abundance and prosperity. That is why 8 years of existence is a symbolic achievement for the company.  Today Air Astana is a trusted, successful airline with a world renowned brand name and a good reputation as a serious partner, diligent tax payer, innovator of new technologies and a socially responsible company. Air Astana works hard for the development of civil aviation of Kazakhstan by operating a modern air fleet, and by supporting projects directed at the improvement of flight safety in  Kazakhstan. Air Astana truly holds the flagship of Kazakhstan aviation by providing its passengers with a reliable and convenient air transportation service," says Mr. Foster.