Kazakhstan’s national airline, Air Astana, is to sign Letters of Intent for the purchase of nine new Airbus and Boeing aircraft as part of a US$1 billion fleet investment.
In addition to firm orders for six Airbus A320 and three Boeing 787-8 aircraft, the airline will place options/purchase rights on a further three Airbus A320 and three Boeing 787-8 aircraft valued at US$736 million.
All aircraft will be powered by Rolls Royce Trent 1000 engines and deliveries will start from 2012.
The airline’s president Peter Foster said: “This order represents Air Astana’s first order to purchase its own aircraft, consistent with its strategic business plan which will see the fleet expanding from 18 aircraft at present to 63 aircraft in 2022”.
Air Astana currently operates a fleet of Boeing 767/757, Airbus A3210 / A321 and Fokker 50 aircraft across its network of 21 international and 25 domestic routes.
The airline is a joint venture between the Samruk State Holding (51%) and Britain’s BAE Systems (49%).
By Bev Fearis
