Kazakhstan’s Air Astana has revealed record pre-tax profits, stating that it is “hard to imagine” how 2010 could have been better.
The carrier, the principal airline of the oil and gas-rich state, made $96 million before tax, up 59% on sales of $656m. Capacity increased by eight per cent and passenger numbers by 13 per cent to 2.57 million.
“It is hard to imagine how trading conditions could have been better in 2010 with costs for much of the year at post-recession levels but with substantially healthier markets from March onwards,” said Air Astana president Peter Foster.
Air Astana increased its services to Frankfurt, Bangkok and other intercontinental routes during 2010. Foster said he did not expect such favourable market conditions this year but added that the introduction of new Embraer 190 aircraft from April would facilitate expansion in central Asia.
Air Astana currently operates 22 aircraft on 24 domestic and 27 international routes.