Kazakh flag carrier Air Astana has begun the final countdown to the launch of its low-cost airline FlyArystan.
From 1 May, the new carrier will operate domestic routes from Almaty International airport to Taraz and Uralsk. FlyArystan will use the Airbus A320 configured with 180 economy seats for both daily services.
Air Astana revealed the name of its new subsidiary in November, saying it hopes for FlyArystan to operate a fleet of at least 15 aircraft by 2022. It will initially offer low-cost domestic flights, but the goal is to launch regional international services in the mid-term.
Commenting on the approaching inaugural flights, Air Astana president and CEO Peter Foster said: “With board approval for this exciting new airline granted just six months ago, seats going on sale so swiftly is a remarkable achievement. FlyArystan adds strength to what we can now call the Air Astana Group. It enables us to effectively compete in the growing low-cost travel segment in our country on better than equal terms with other airlines. FlyArystan gives us the opportunity to grow the overall market by taking customers from other forms of travel and we are proud to be playing an important social and economic development role in Kazakhstan by creating this exciting new airline.”
Tim Jordan, who has been appointed to lead FlyArystan, added: “FlyArystan presents a great opportunity for both Kazakhstan citizens and foreign visitors to travel more easily and comfortably across this vast country with lower air fares. With only a month to go before the launch of our first services to Taraz and Uralsk, we are delighted at the immediate strong market response and look forward to welcoming our first customers in May.”
flyarystan.com