Air Astana progresses with fleet simplification and aims for 84 aircraft this decade

Kazakh operator Air Astana Group is expecting to expand its fleet to 84 aircraft by the end of the decade, from 57 at the close of last year. Air Astana ended 2024 with 34 aircraft while its FlyArystan subsidiary had 23, after each carrier took delivery of five jets over the 12-month period. The company adds that it redelivered three Embraer E2-family jets, as part of a fleet-simplification strategy under which all the Embraer jets will be phased out in favour of Airbus single-aisle jets. “All Embraer pilots have now been converted to Airbus,” it states. Over the first part of 2025 the group has taken the total fleet to 60 aircraft and expects to have 63 by year-end. “We continue to proactively manage the fleet and add capacity in line with our growth strategy,” says CE Peter Foster. Air Astana Group says its A320 full-flight simulator is operating at “full utilisation” and it received a second simulator in February which will be commissioned by the end of this year – potentially providing a revenue stream from third-party training. It adds that it is “in the final stages” of being granted a multi-pilot licence.<br/>