Central Asian aviation firm Air Astana Group formally signed a firm order for 25 Airbus A320neo Family aircraft, its largest ever direct order with the French aircraft manufacturer.
The agreement was made as Air Astana marked the 20th anniversary of its first-ever A320, and its fleet has since expanded to include five A320neo and 20 A321neo aircraft.
AirAstana chief executive Peter Foster remarked on the occasion: “Air Astana’s large order for a new fleet of Airbus A320neo Family aircraft reflects a commitment to maintaining its reputation for operational efficiency and service excellence in the long term. The Airbus A320neo Family has proven to be an outstanding success in service with Air Astana over many years. In particular, the A321LR in its premium configuration allows us to offer what we believe is the world’s best narrow-body long-haul product, combining true long-range capability with an exceptional onboard experience. I’m confident that the new fleet will continue to boost sustainable growth and profitability in the long term.”
The way forward
Air Astana Group will deploy the new aircraft with both Air Astana and its low-cost subsidiary FlyArystan as part of the overall fleet expansion and renewal; currently, the group operates a fleet of 59 Airbus A320 Family aircraft.
According to Airbus’ executive vice-president for sales in its commercial aircraft business Benoît de Saint-Exupéry: “This order further validates the unmatched economics and market appeal of the A320neo Family in one of the world's fastest-growing aviation markets. We are pleased to support Air Astana’s vision to connect Kazakhstan to the world. This deal solidifies a decades-long bond, ensuring they continue to set the regional gold standard for fleet modernisation, operational excellence and passenger experience.”
The A320 Family is the world’s most popular single-aisle aircraft having won more than 19,000 orders globally.
The Family includes the largest member, the A321neo offering unparalleled range and performance, along with at least 20 percent fuel savings and CO₂ reduction compared to previous generation single-aisle aircraft, while maximising passenger comfort with one of the widest single-aisle cabins in the sky.
