ATW Daily News

Air Astana declares its 787 MOU 'inactive'

Wednesday October 21, 2009

Air Astana President Peter Foster told ATWOnline yesterday that the carrier's MOU with Boeing for three 787s plus three options is "inactive" and that it is searching for alternative fleet solutions.

Speaking in Almaty, Foster said, "There is very little clarity on delivery dates," for the 787. The MOU was signed in 2007 and delivery originally was scheduled for 2014-15 (ATWOnline, Jan. 3, 2008). Air Astana now estimates that its first Dreamliner could arrive as late as 2019.

"We need a decision quickly" on the future of KC's long-haul fleet, Foster said. Leases on two 767-300ERs will expire by 2012 and the airline will have to determine whether it wants to stay with the Boeing product or opt for the A330-200. Meanwhile, its four 757-200s fit nicely into the network. "Many of our routes are very thin [in terms of loads]," he said. KC just renewed its 757 leases and is "very likely" to add to that fleet.

It will take delivery of two E-190LRs in 2011 and plans to operate six by 2014. "We realized that E-jets could not replace turboprops completely" in a large country that has dozens of small, remote airports. "Our five 50-seat F50s do a very reliable job, but one day we will have to replace them," Foster said. A decision between the Q300 and ATR 42 could come next year.

KC plans to fly the E-190 to nearby international destinations. It also plans to add six new A320s in 2012-13. Meanwhile, it is building up its own maintenance center in Almaty to be able to do C checks next year. It currently operates four 757-200s, two 767-300ERs, one A319, seven A320s, two A321s and five F50s.

by Kurt Hofmann

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