Air Astana to modify all its A321LRs with extra fuel tank

Air Astana intends to modify its entire fleet of 11 Airbus A321LRs with additional fuel tanks, following the successful launch of non-stop flights to London Heathrow from Almaty. Airline chief Peter Foster says the modifications are expected to be completed by end-2025, allowing the Kazakh carrier to operate more long-range, non-stop flights, on top of London. Foster, who was speaking at a media roundtable in Almaty, has however ruled out any commitments for the A321XLR, noting that it is still not fully known “what the aircraft can or cannot do”. “We would rather take something we know works rather than take a chance,” Foster says. Following the service entry of the first modified A321LR, Foster says two more aircraft have been inducted to be fitted out with additional fuel tanks, a fourth A321LR will be inducted in November, he adds. The modifications will also extend to the seven new A321LRs being brought in from Air Lease that will be delivered from 2026. Foster says one possible route for the modified aircraft is between Almaty and Tokyo, which it will launch in early 2026 following the signing of a codeshare agreement with Japan Airlines. <br/>