Air Astana signs MoU for up to 50 Airbus A320neo jets, expanding long-haul A321LR fleet

Air Astana has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Airbus for up to 50 A320neo family aircraft, in what the airline says would be its largest fleet commitment to date. The package includes 25 firm orders and 25 purchase options and remains subject to shareholder approval.

“The Airbus A320neo family has proven to be an outstanding success in service with Air Astana over many years and I’m confident that the new fleet will continue to boost sustainable growth and profitability in the long term,” said Peter Foster, CEO of Air Astana.

The package covers both A320neo and A321neo variants, with first deliveries scheduled from 2031. A significant share of the aircraft is expected to be allocated to the A321LR, which Air Astana has used over the past five years to expand medium and long-haul services to Europe and Asia.

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The narrowbody commitment comes shortly after a major widebody decision. Earlier in November 2025, Air Astana agreed a deal with Boeing for up to 15 787 Dreamliners, comprising five firm 787-9s and ten options and purchase rights. The aircraft will replace the carrier’s three Boeing 767-300ERs and support future long-haul growth, including possible service expansions to North America.

Taken together, the long-haul and narrowbody orders outline a dual renewal plan that covers almost every segment of the fleet. Air Astana currently operates 62 aircraft, including 59 Airbus A320 family jets across Air Astana and FlyArystan. The average fleet age is just over six years, and the group has phased out its regional Embraer E190-E2 aircraft as part of a shift to a single-aisle Airbus platform.

FlyArystan, the group’s low-cost division, has been expanding rapidly across Kazakhstan and Central Asia using high-density A320s. At the same time, Air Astana continues to operate a two-class product on its Airbus and Boeing aircraft. The larger, standardized A320neo-family order is expected to support both brands for the foreseeable future.

The agreement will require shareholder approval before finalization, and delivery sequencing will depend on Airbus production slots into the 2030s.The post Air Astana signs MoU for up to 50 Airbus A320neo jets, expanding long-haul A321LR fleet appeared first on AeroTime.

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