Air Astana Posts H1 2013 Net Profit

Air Astana posted a net profit of $11.89 million for the first half of 2013, an increase of 143% over the corresponding 2012 period.

Airline revenue increased by 12% to $442.64 million on the back of a capacity increase of 13%. Passenger numbers increased by 11% to 1.698 million.

The Kazakhstan-based carrier added new services from Almaty to Ho Chi Minh via Bangkok, Kiev and Kostanay; from Astana to Kiev, Orenburg and Bishkek; and from Atyrau to Moscow.

It also took delivery of its seventh Embraer E-190 regional jet and twelfth Airbus 320 aircraft while retiring its remaining two Fokker 50s, for a total fleet size of 26 aircraft.

“The first half is generally the low season for us and this year is no exception. The results are nonetheless fair, driven by modest fuel savings and strong growth on routes to Istanbul, helped by the new code share with Turkish Airlines, and on the new routes to Kiev,” said Peter Foster, Air Astana's President.