Air Astana to place biggest ever aircraft order for 50 Airbus A320neo

ASTANA. Nov 21 (Interfax) - Kazakhstan's Air Astana has signed a memorandum of understanding to acquire up to 50 Airbus A320neo aircraft under the airline's fleet modernization program, Air Astana said in a press release.

"This would be the largest ever order placed by the airline, comprising 25 firm orders and 25 purchase options. The agreement includes a mix of Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft, with the first deliveries starting in 2031," the press release says.

The majority of the aircraft will be allocated to the Airbus A321LR, a version of the aircraft of which Air Astana was one of the first airlines to install a deluxe configuration, for deployment on its pioneering long-haul services to Asia and Europe.

"Air Astana's large order for a new fleet of Airbus A320neo family aircraft reflects a commitment to maintaining its reputation for operational efficiency and service excellence in the long term," said Peter Foster, CEO of Air Astana.

Air Astana introduced the first Airbus A320ceo into the fleet in 2006, with the aircraft operated on the airline's domestic network and services to international destinations in Central Asia and the Caucasus. The first new generation Airbus A320neo family aircraft joined the fleet in November 2016 and was followed by first Airbus A321LR in September 2019. Airbus A321LR aircraft are operated on long-haul routes to destinations in Asia and Europe.

The Air Astana Group currently operates a fleet of 60 Boeing-767, A320neo, A321, A321neo and A321LR 2 aircraft. Its FlyArystan subsidiary operates Airbus A320.