Air Astana to buy 25 Airbus aircraft in $1 billion deal

Photo: Shutterstock, photo editor: Serikzhan Kovlanbayev

Air Astana shareholders have approved a deal with Airbus to purchase 25 aircraft. Renewing its fleet will cost the airline at least 550 billion tenge ($1 billion).

The decision, made at a special shareholders’ meeting, was announced on the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange. Air Astana is expected to place a firm order with Airbus for 5 Airbus A320neo and 20 Airbus A321NX aircraft. Aircraft deliveries are scheduled between 2031 and 2034.

Although no details of the deal have been disclosed, Air Astana said it represents more than 50% of the company’s book value. Based on the company’s latest financial report for the third quarter of 2025, the airline’s total assets amounted to 1.1 trillion tenge, or $2.2 billion. Thus, the deal value could be at least 550 billion tenge, or $1.1 billion.

The Airbus A320neo is a medium-haul aircraft with a range of 6,300 kilometers and a capacity of up to 194 passengers. The Airbus A321NX is a variant of the Airbus A321neo. It is designed to seat up to 227 passengers and has a maximum range of 7,400 kilometers.

Earlier this year, Air Astana also received approval for a major deal with Boeing to purchase five Boeing 787-9 aircraft. Deliveries are scheduled between 2032 and 2035, and the deal value also represents 50% or more of the airline’s assets.