Air Astana primed to boost Asia network

Following the recently announced deal to acquire seven new A320neo family aircraft, Kazakhstan national carrier Air Astana will beef up existing routes and expand its network in Asia.

Speaking to Travelmole, CEO Peter Foster said Singapore and Tokyo were on the Air Astana radar, alongside a strategy to develop its route network in Western China.

Foster also revealed plans to expand twice-weekly winter flights from Astana to Bangkok to a year round service in the autumn.

The airline also serves the Thai capital daily from Almaty.

"Long range planes will allow us to fly to all of Southeast Asia," Foster said, however immediate plans will target markets closer to home.

The carrier’s ‘extended home market’ will be the short term focus – regional destinations in Central Asia and the Caucasus – to feed traffic into its Almaty and Astana hubs.

Meanwhile Foster was adamant Air Astana will not transition to a ‘no frills’ business model, alluding to a history of failed low cost ventures in the long haul segment.

"We will not diminish our product to monetize and will stay a full service airline," he said.