Booming Beginnings for Air Astana in 2025!
Air Astana Reveals First Quarter Earnings, Details on New Routes, Financial Growth, and Fleet Expansion
The first quarter of 2025 has been a prosperous one for Air Astana, with significant growth in revenue and EBITDAR! Let's break it down:
- The total revenue and other income surged a whopping 10.4% to an impressive $292.4 million (1Q 2024: $264.7 million).
- EBITDAR experienced a powerful 37.1% growth, reaching $59.9 million (1Q 2024: $43.7 million). The EBITDAR margin also increased significantly by 4.0 percentage points, landing at 20.5% (1Q 2024: 16.5%).
- In terms of passenger numbers, Air Astana carried 7.1% more passengers during the first quarter, totaling 2 million passengers (1Q 2024: 1.9 million), and the average load factor improved slightly to 81.5% (1Q 2024: 81.2%).
Looking ahead, Air Astana's bullish outlook for the summer season is backed by strategic decisions like their expanded spring-summer schedule, increased capacity on key growing markets, and a proactive approach to reducing Pratt & Whitney engine maintenance. Moreover, the airline aims to achieve growth in 2025 in line with its medium-term plans and anticipates an EBITDAR margin of mid- to high-20s with a liquidity ratio above 25% and a net debt/EBITDAR ratio below 3.0x in the medium term.
Now, let's delve into the airline's ongoing initiatives:
Network Growth and Strategy
Air Astana's strategic location in Kazakhstan has played a pivotal role in improving transportation accessibility across high-demand regions of Asia. The start of 2025 marked the launch of 15 new routes on key growing markets, such as direct flights to China (Guangzhou and Kashgar) and India (Mumbai), connecting Almaty with India's commercial capital. Furthermore, Air Astana's presence expanded on the Persian Gulf with additional flights to Dubai and Abu Dhabi by the end of 2024.
Another notable development involves the installation of a third fuel tank on the A321LR fleet at the Group's technical center. This expansion allows the Group to operate non-stop flights from Almaty to London, Almaty to Guangzhou, Astana to Phu Quoc, and Astana to Phuket, as well as Almaty to Tokyo from March 2026.
Strategic Partnerships
Air Astana is enthusiastically expanding its strategic partnerships with other airlines. During the first quarter of 2025, the airline signed a memorandum of understanding with China Southern Airlines to establish a comprehensive codeshare agreement that will foster growth in China, Central Asia, East Asia, and the Caucasus, subject to bilateral agreements with third countries.
Fleet Development
Air Astana continued to expand its fleet as part of its growth strategy in 2025, adding five new aircraft (three A320neo and two A320ceo) to its roster, while retiring two Embraer E2 aircraft. With the newcomers, the total fleet size reached 60 aircraft, composed of 34 aircraft under Air Astana and 26 aircraft under FlyArystan.
While Air Astana is eagerly awaiting the delivery of its first 787-9 aircraft in the second half of 2026, it has already secured an agreement with GE for "off-wing" engine maintenance and ordered a spare engine to support operations. Additionally, the airline continues to benefit from the extended range of the modified A321LR aircraft, which has been in operation on routes such as Astana - London, Astana - Nha Trang, and will also be in operation on the Almaty - Tokyo route from March 2026.
Stay tuned for Air Astana's full Q1 2025 results, available here.
- I am looking forward to the summer season in 2025, as Air Astana anticipates growth in line with its medium-term plans, aiming for a higher EBITDAR margin and liquidity ratio.
- Air Astana, by leveraging its strategic location in Kazakhstan, launched 15 new routes to high-demand regions such as China, India, and the Persian Gulf, improving transportation accessibility.
- To further strengthen its partnership ties, Air Astana signed a memorandum of understanding with China Southern Airlines to establish a codeshare agreement, fostering growth in China, Central Asia, East Asia, and the Caucasus.
- In an effort to enhance travel opportunities, Air Astana plans to operate non-stop flights from Almaty to London, Guangzhou, Astana to Phu Quoc, and Astana to Phuket, following the installation of a third fuel tank on the A321LR fleet at the Group's technical center.
