Air Astana, Kazakhstan’s leading international carrier will be operating its growing fleet of Embraer 190s on an expanded Central Asian network in 2012. New international services from Astana to Ulan Bator, capital of Mongolia; Astana to Tashkent, capital of Uzbekistan; Almaty to Kazan, Russia and Atyrau to Moscow will be launched following the delivery of three more aircraft during the second quarter of 2012. The first Embraer 190 entered service with Air Astana in April 2011, with the existing fleet of three aircraft currently operating on international routes to Tbilisi, capital of Georgia; Baku, capital of Azerbaijan; Dushanbe, capital of Tajikistan; Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan; Samara, Russia and nine domestic routes.

“Air Astana’s strategic plan to develop a network of services serving destinations in Central Asia, southern Russia and western China from hubs in Almaty and Astana has been a tremendous success over the past three years" said Peter Foster, President of Air Astana. “Popularity of the services has been further boosted following the introduction Embraer 190 aircraft on the network earlier this year and passengers can now look forward more new destinations in 2012.”

Air Astana selected the Embraer 190 for its advanced design, passenger comfort and operating efficiency, with low maintenance costs and fuel burn. The twin-engine jet is configured in a two class, 98 seat configuration with Air Astana and has a maximum range of 4,500km.

Air Astana currently operates a fleet of 26 aircraft comprising two Boeing 767-300, five Boeing 757-200, ten Airbus A321/A320/A319, three Embraer E190 and six Fokker 50. The airline placed an order for four new Boeing 767-300ERs and three Boeing 787-8s earlier this month. The airline serves 23 domestic and 31 international destinations.

Air Astana is a full member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the only airline in Kazakhstan certified to perform aircraft maintenance to European standard EASA/Part 145.  In September 2011, Air Astana passed its third IATA Operational Safety Audit, without any findings.

Air Astana is a joint venture between the National Welfare Fund “Samruk-Kazyna JSC and the British company BAE Systems, with shares of 51% and 49% respectively.