History

Air Astana was incorporated in late 2001 and its maiden flight was on the 15th May 2002.
1- The inaugural was attended by President Nursultan Nazarbayev and Sir Richard Evans, representing the two shareholders, the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and BAE Systems PLC of the UK.
2- These shareholders remain committed partners in the airline, with the Government holding a 51 percent share through its Samruk-Kazyna National Welfare Fund, and BAE Systems PLC holding 49 percent.
Operating to the highest standards
1- Air Astanas mission remains unchanged: To provide profitable domestic and international air services to the highest standards of safety and service using modern generation aircraft in order to serve and complement the needs of Kazakhstan.
2- Air Astana maintains its fleet to audited EU EASA 145 standards. In June 2013 Air Astana successfully completed its 3rd IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) renewal. Air Astana is the only IOSA registered airline in Kazakhstan.
Growing the fleet
1- Today Air Astana operates a fleet of 30 western aircraft with an average age of 6.23 years. It operates over 60 domestic and international routes. Its passengers are served by more than 4,300 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 30 years of management experience.
2- Air Astana has purchase orders in place for Boeing 787, Boeing 767, Airbus A320 and Embraer 190 family aircraft. These will expand the fleet to 36 aircraft by the end of 2017, and to 43 aircraft by 2020.