Air Astana adds another A321neo to its fleet

Image: Air Astana

Continuing its controlled capacity growth, Kazakhstan’s flag carrier Air Astana has taken delivery of another Airbus A321neo. The aircraft is the 36th in Air Astana’s own fleet and the 64th across the Air Astana Group, which also includes low-cost carrier FlyArystan.

The narrowbody medium-haul aircraft, registered as EI-KDL (MSN 13547), arrived at the airline’s Almaty base directly from the Airbus facility in Hamburg on October 19th. It is only the second aircraft to join the group’s fleet this year, out of five planned.

Air Astana, a full-service carrier, has configured the aircraft with a large business cabin (28 seats) and 156 economy seats.

The aircraft is powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1133G-JM geared turbofan engines.

Although Air Astana’s fleet consists predominantly of European-built aircraft, its most anticipated delivery this year is the widebody long-haul Boeing 787-9. It is expected in December, with two aircraft possibly arriving in time.

Low-cost carrier FlyArystan plans to take delivery of one A320 by year-end.

The new A321neo is scheduled to enter service on 5 November on the carrier’s busiest route, Almaty–Astana. It will subsequently be deployed on both domestic and international routes.