Kazakh operator Air Astana Group hopes to expand its fleet to 84 by the end of the decade, from 57 at the end of last year.
Air Astana ended with 34 aircraft in 2024, but after each airline delivered five jets over a 12-month period, Friesarystan's subsidiary was 23.
The company adds that it has re-delivered three Embraer E2 Family Jets as part of a fleet simplification strategy in which all embraer jets are phased out in favor of the Airbus Single Aile Jet.
“All Embral pilots are now converted to Airbus,” it says.
In the first part of 2025, the group expects to increase its total fleet to 60 aircraft, with 63 aircraft by the end of the year.
“We will continue to actively manage our fleet and add capabilities along with our growth strategy,” says CEO Peter Foster.
According to Air Astana Group, the A320 full flight simulator will work “full use” and will receive a second simulator in February, commissioned by the end of this year, and could potentially provide revenue streams from third-party training.
It adds that it is the “final stage” of being granted a multi-pilot license.
This group is working to reduce the impact of Pratt & Whitney engine issues affecting the A320neo-Family fleet.
According to Foster, the company adopted “early action” in its “rest engine” during the low season. We have been running 93 engine replacements last year, while still securing additional aircraft and spare power plants.
It will also introduce four older Airbus A320s, and another Airbus will be introduced in the first quarter of this year.
The group also has 13 spare engines for the A320neo family.
Foster says the assumption of engine off-wing time in Pratt & Whitney's issue remains at 18 months.
“Currently, the group is offering a completely negligent engine, but this issue is expected to require aggressive mitigation actions for a foreseeable future,” the company says.
Air Astana Group has revealed that its full-year pre-tax profit fell 23% to $66.7 million, but its net profit fell on a level similar to $52.8 million.
However, it points out that operating profit would rise nearly 15% to $146 million, and if not excluded such as $13 million IPO-related expenses, net profit would increase by 6% to $65 million.
Air Astana Group claims “strong” performance, which stems from “the beginning of the year and proactive action to manage industry-wide cost and revenue pressures, capacity constraints.”
