Mining industry drives Air Astana's growth

Air Astana, the Kazakh flag carrier, enjoyed a 60% lift in passengers last year to 2 million that CEO Peter Foster joked had "absolutely" nothing to do with the success of the film "Borat." Talking to ATWOnline from Almaty, Foster said the airline is expanding rapidly and evaluating both the A350 XWB and 787 to replace its 757s and 767s from 2011. It currently operates 18 aircraft. Key to its success has been the country's mineral boom.

Air Astana took delivery of its seventh A320/A321yesterday, with an additional three A320s and one A319 due next year. Foster also wants to lease more 767s ahead of 787/A350 deliveries. "The 767 is robust and perfect for us and can reach all our destinations with a full payload," he said. The carrier operates 25 domestic and 18 international routes and is adding more frequencies and destinations in Russia. The business mix is 65% domestic and 35% international, with transit traffic accounting for a surprising 15%. Foster said the airline is developing as a high-quality niche operator linking numerous mineral centers in Kazakhstan and beyond. For example, it is planning to start flying to oil-rich Sakhalin Island off Russia's east coast.