Aerospace Diary

by  Neelam Mathews  -  June 22, 2016, 9:06 AM Air Astana hopes that next year's Expo 2017 event will boost traffic to and from Kazakhstan. [Photo: Neelam Mathews] A highly devalued currency and collapsing oil revenues have left Kazakhstan’s economy in the doldrums, leaving flag carrier Air Astana to recalibrate its business plan with a stronger emphasis on international routes. In February 2017, the airline is due to start paying for three new Boeing 787 widebodies that may prove to be a heavy drain on its  U.S.  dollar reserves. At a June 15 press briefing in Almaty, Air Astana president and  CEO  Peter Foster did not definitively confirm that the 787 deliveries will go ahead as planned. “That is something we have got a close eye on given the weak currency market,” he told  AIN . “We will have to see how the market develops. Obviously, markets are not huge at the moment and growth has slowed down.” Air Astana’s plan has been...

Neelam Mathews Dec 15, 2013 As temperatures hit minus 15deg C at Astana, warm smiles and generosity filled the air in typical Kazakh fashion. Peter Foster, President of Air Astana was a happy man as he took delivery of the last two 767s in his fleet, which have apparently served him well, as the aircraft reaches the final phase of production. Meanwhile, plans for fleet upgradation has Boeing, Embraer and Airbus upping antics to sell aircraft that will meet the carrier’s range and seat expectations. Air Astana is increasing its 5 weekly flights to a daily starting Dec 16 to Delhi. For those in a nostalgic mood to bring back the magic of flying, I would strongly suggest you try Air Astana. And no, this space has not been paid for! I have to confess it feels decadently sinful (if there is such a word!). For those wanting to bring in a white Xmas and new year, now might be just the time. Even the airports n Kazakhstan are all dressed up for Christmas celebrated on Jan 1. Add ...

AIN AIR TRANSPORT PERSPECTIVE  »  OCTOBER 22, 2012 by    NEELAM MATHEWS Kazakhstan flag carrier Air Astana wants to expand its network in Asia and could seek bilateral alliances with operators such as Royal Jordanian. October 22, 2012, 11:50 AM As oil and gas wells overflow in Kazakhstan, Air Astana–the national carrier of the newly enriched former Soviet republic–is looking deep into Asia to expand its network. Its inclusion on the  European Union blacklist , which frustrates its ambitions to expand west, lies at the heart of its strategy. Air Astana’s discussions over a code-share partnership with Royal Jordanian, which follows an analogous strategy, is no coincidence. Royal Jordanian has developed Amman into a hub for the Levant region, straddling western Asia, the eastern Mediterranean and northeast Africa. As in central Asia, small and relatively weak flag carriers traditionally have served the region, according to inde...

Neelam Mathews Sept 15, 2012 Remember the nostalgia associated with flying in the good old days?  A time when people greeted you with a smile, welcomed you with hot towels and candy, champagne, and a choice of other beverages? When the food tray you got had no place left even for a glass of water instead of today's reality when tray sizes are the same but food has shrunk and you can place a squirrel and still get space for a pretzel pack. Well, eat your hearts out. On a recent Astana to Almaty trip, it was almost as though time stood still. In 45 minutes, I was served champagne (Tattinger) and almonds. I savored it and then this tray of fresh trout and all the rest you can see in this picture.  Call it Retro, call it fool hardy and I can almost hear all our carriers chuckling saying to themselves, "How wasteful can an airline be?"  But, as a satisfied customer, I can tell you that everytime I get a dry sandwich or a half-hearted meal thrown at me on any fligh...

Neelam Mathews Aug 22, 2012 Kazakhstan ’s Air Astana, has, increased frequencies between Almaty and Delhi starting Aug 21. Air Astana will be providing a daily service except Thursdays and Saturday on an Airbus A320 aircraft configured in 148 seats, two class configuration. The flight duration from Almaty to Delhi is 3 hours and 45 minutes. Air Astana   started services from Almaty to Delhi in September 2004. “Business and leisure traffic between Kazakhstan and India has continued to grow strongly in recent years and Air Astana is now delighted to respond by providing extra services to Delhi, one of the country’s most dynamic cities. The new flights offer passengers arriving in Almaty convenient connections to domestic services including to the capital Astana, as well as regional destinations in Central Asia, Caucasus, southern Russia and China,” said Ibrahim Canliel, Vice President Sales and Marketing, Air Astana. The cost of an economy return ticket from A...

Neelam Mathews June 21, 2011 British carrier bmi - the second largest airline at London Heathrow- may soon start services to Amritsar via Almaty, Kazakhsthan, Aerospace Diary learns from an official in Europe. bmi is part of the Lufthansa family of airlines and also member of the Star Alliance. It had withdrawn flights from Mumbai a few years ago citing lack of passengers. The flight from Amritsar to Heathrow via Almaty will be under 12 hours without any change of aircraft. It is   the shortest time taken by any other carrier including Air India. The introduction of bmi will make it Lufthansa Group's fourth airline into India till the winter schedule when Lufthansa withdraws from Hyderabad.