Air Astana Signs LOI for 30 Boeing 737 MAX 8 Aircraft

Air Astana has signed a letter of intent for up to 30 Boeing 737 MAX 8 airplanes, valued at US$3.6 billion at current list prices.

If the deal, a 50/50 mixture of purchase and lease, is finalised, the aircraft would be operated by FlyArystan, Air Astana's low cost airline subsidiary.

Each aircraft would be configured with 189 seats,

Since beginning operations in May 2002, Air Astana has steadily grown its business from its hubs in Almaty and Nur-Sultan (formerly Astana), sprouting a network that serves major cities across Kazakhstan, Central Asia, Asia, China, Europe and Russia. Air Astana operates a growing fleet that includes the Boeing 757, 767 and the Airbus A320 family aircraft.

In May, Air Astana launched FlyArystan to better compete in the growing low-cost segment. The company says the new airline has seen strong ticket sales in just the first few months of operation. The airline currently operates Airbus A320ceos.

"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," said Peter Foster, President and CEO of Air Astana. "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 entire Boeing 737 MAX family of aircraft has been grounded since March 2019 following two fatal crashes.

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