Key milestone for Air Astana
Air Astana has celebrated the purchase of the first new commercial aircraft in the history of Kazakhstan.
The arrival of the two owned A321 aircraft are the first of six A320 family aircraft ordered during the visit to France by Kazakhstan’s president, Nursultan Nazarbayev, in 2008.
The total deal for six aircraft is worth more than USD500 million at list prices, with financing independently undertaken by Air Astana without government budget, shareholders’ funds or state guarantees.
Financing supported by the Export Credit Agencies of Germany, France and UK has been arranged by Royal Bank of Scotland, and from the airline’s cash reserves generated through operations.
The new fleet of Airbus aircraft will operate domestic flights, and international flights to destinations in China, India, Russia, Turkey and the UAE.
"Air Astana has entered an important new phase of its development," said Peter Foster, president of Air Astana.
Air Astana currently operates a network of more 50 international and domestic services from hubs in Almaty, Astana and Atyrau.
Ian Jarrett
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