Kazakhstan’s Air Astana Group, which includes Air Astana and its LCC subsidiary FlyArystan, plans to expand its fleet to 63 aircraft by the end of 2025 and to 84 aircraft by the end of 2029.
According to Air Astana’s fourth quarter (Q4) 2024 earnings report, the sector continues to be negatively impacted by OEM supply chain concerns, particularly the impact of contaminated powdered metal problems with Pratt & Whitney PW1100G engines.
“The P&W1100 issue has become a sort of chronic illness with which we have had to learn to live,” Peter Foster, Air Astana president and CEO, told Aviation Week in a previous interview. “We continue to proactively manage the fleet and add capacity in line with our growth strategy,” Foster told investors.
A specific Pratt mitigation plan, which included early action to rest engines during the low seasons, secured more aircraft and spare engine capacity for Air Astana. In 2024, the group replaced 93 geared turbofan (GTF) engines. This ensured maximum fleet usage during peak season while minimizing the impact on overall performance.
In addition, the group has 13 spare engines for its Airbus A320neo family fleet. The engine-off wing time assumption for this issue continues at 18 months. Although the group is now receiving totally fault-free engines from Pratt, the problem is projected to endure and necessitate aggressive mitigation measures for the foreseeable future.
Air Astana received five new aircraft in 2024, bringing its total fleet to 34. LCC FlyArystan additionally received five aircraft in 2024, bringing its fleet to 23, which was increased to 25 in early 2025. FlyArystan’s newest additions were all A320-family aircraft.
Air Astana is set to receive an additional Airbus A320ceo in the first quarter of this year, bolstering its fleet amid continued expansion attempts. As part of the airline’s fleet simplification strategy, Air Astana has redelivered three of its five Embraer E190-E2 aircraft ahead of time. This move is consistent with its long-term strategy to shift to a more streamlined, Airbus-dominated fleet.
In preparation for the Embraer fleet’s total phase-out, all Embraer pilots have received training and moved to Airbus cockpits. This strategic decision not only improves operating efficiency but also standardizes the airline’s fleet, lowering maintenance costs and training requirements. Air Astana intends to enhance fleet utilization, optimize fuel efficiency, and provide a consistent passenger experience by combining aircraft types.
Technicians at Air Astana’s technical facilities put a third extra center tank (ACT) fuel tank on the A321LR, expanding network possibilities and bringing new destinations within the narrowbody aircraft’s increased range. By adding a third ACT to the A321LR, Air Astana can enhance its full cargo range by 300-350 nm.
The group is planning to build new hangars in Almaty and Astana, which will increase maintenance capacity throughout the organization’s two major hubs. Construction on the expanded facilities is scheduled to begin in 2025-26. The organization is increasing its Flight Training Center (FTC) by adding a second A320 full-flight simulator (FFS). The FFS, which was delivered in February, is expected to be operational by the end of the year, providing more capacity for external pilot training.
In Q4 2024, Air Astana Group revenue climbed 14.3% year on year to $312.1 million. Adjusted EBITDA increased 39.6% to $71.2 million from $51 million the previous year, outpacing capacity growth.
In Q4 2024, the group’s available seat kilometers climbed by 5.8%, from 4.5 billion the previous year to 4.7 billion. For the full year 2024, the group added approximately 1 million passengers, bringing the total to 9 million, with an improving load factor. Air Astana Group attributes the growth to rising demand for air travel in Kazakhstan, its extended home market, and surrounding megamarkets.
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