Air Astana expands regional routes in Central Asia

Kazakhstan-based Air Astana (KC) continues to expand its Central Asian network as it takes delivery of Embraer E-190 aircraft, enabling the carrier to offer new international services from Astana (TSE) to Ulan Bator, Mongolia and Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and from Almaty to Kazan, Russia.

KC will launch Atyrau-Moscow Sheremetyevo (SVO) service following the delivery of three Embraer E-190s in the second quarter of 2012 (ATW Daily News, May 24, 2011). KC introduced its first E-190 in April 2011 and operates three of this type on regional routes throughout Central Asia.

KC operates a fleet of 26 aircraft, comprising two Boeing 767-300s, five 757-200s, 10 Airbus A321s/A320s/A319s, three Embraer E-190s and six Fokker 50s.

The airline placed an order for four new 767-300ERs and three 787-8s earlier this week (ATW Daily News, Feb. 7).