Planes will form backbone of new low cost airline, FlyArystan in $3.6 billion deal

Air Astana announces order of 30 Boeing 737 Max 8 planes for low cost carrier FlyArystan at the Dubai Airshow 2019

The companies signed a letter of intent for the planes, which have a list price value of $3.6 billion. Air Astana has steadily grown its business since the start of its operations in 2002 from hubs in Almaty and Nur-Sultan (formerly Astana), and growing a network which serves major cities across Kazakhstan, central Asia, China, Europe and Russia. Its fleet includes the Boeing 757, 767 and the Airbus A320 family. The new planes will be used within the fleet of the Kazakh airline’s new low-cost carrier FlyArystan.

FlyArystan was launched to compete in the growing low-cost segment, with the company seeing strong ticket sales in just the first few months of operation. The airlines plans to expand the fast-growing domestic network with international services to Moscow commencing next month.

Max to provide “solid platform for growth”

Peter Foster, chief executive of Air Astana, said: “Since its launch in May this year, FlyArystan has exceeded all expectations and it is clear that low cost air travel has a great future in Kazakhstan and central Asia.”

“Air Astana has had a strong relationship with Boeing ever since the airline started flying in 2002 with a pair of 737NGs. Today, we operate both 757s and 767s and we believe that the Max will provide a solid platform for the growth of FlyArystan throughout our region, once the aircraft has successfully returned to service.”

The Boeing 737 Max remains grounded following fatal crashes in Ethiopia and Indonesia. Boeing is currently rewriting onboard software and aims to have the Max recertified to fly in the coming months.

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