FlyArystan

FlyArystan is the first Kazakh low-cost carrier and one of the first in Central Asia, began operations in May 2019 and is based in Almaty.

FlyArystan

IATA ICAO Callsign FS KZR ASTANALINE
Founded	2 November 2018 (as a division of Air Astana)
Commenced operations	29 March 2019 (2019-03-29)
Operating bases	List of bases Almaty International Airport Atyrau International Airport Aktau International Airport Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport Shymkent International Airport
Fleet size	16
Destinations	24 as of September 2023
Parent company	Air Astana
Headquarters	Almaty, Kazakhstan
Key people	Richard Ledger, Acting President Alim Shalbayev, Finance Director Warakorn Komutanont, Operations Director Aigul Tashbayeva, HR Director
Website	www.flyarystan.com

FlyArystan was developed throughout 2018 under the auspices of Air Astana JSC and on November 2, 2018 was approved by joint shareholders: Air Astana JSC, the National Welfare Fund "Samruk-Kazyna," the British company BAE Systems, and the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev.

In 2024, FlyArystan received its own Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan (AAK), confirming compliance with Kazakh aviation legislation and international operational standards. This enables FlyArystan to obtain its own IATA code to expand its presence in foreign markets and cooperate with other airlines. FlyArystan is a 100% subsidiary of Air Astana JSC.

Low-Cost Model

FlyArystan follows a classic low-cost model, keeping fares low by charging only based on the individual preferences and needs of the passenger. FlyArystan adheres to the principle of offering high-quality services at a low price. All service and safety standards are maintained at the level of the national carrier.

Market and Airline Growth

Since 2018, the domestic aviation market in Kazakhstan has grown by 55% to 9.3 million seats. As of 2023, FlyArystan has 37% of the domestic market, increasing Group market share from 52% in 2018 to 67% in 2023. Since the launch of FlyArystan in 2019, the airline has increased its passenger numbers by 5.1x to 3.6m and revenue by 10x to 278m in 2023.

Route Network

FlyArystan Destinations (March 2024)

FlyArystan flights began in May 2019 with two aircraft on six routes: from Almaty to Astana, Taraz, Oral, Karaganda, Pavlodar, Shymkent, and back. By August 2019, the number of destinations began to increase. The airline now operates flights across an extensive route network, with total destinations growing by 2.3x since launch and a modern fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft based in Almaty, Astana, Atyrau, Aktau, and Shymkent. The low-cost carrier's route network includes 14 domestic flights across Kazakhstan and international destinations to Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, India, the UAE, Qatar, Uzbekistan, and China.[1]

List of airline routes (June 2024):

Destinations:

Country	City
Kazakhstan	ALA	NQZ	CIT	SCO	HSA	URA	AKX	GUW	UKK	PWQ	KGF	PLX	KSN	KZO
Turkey	SAW
Georgia	KUT
Uzbekistan	TAS
Kyrgyzstan	FRU
Azerbaijan	GYD
India	DEL	BOM
China	URC

Fleet

Airbus A320-200 aircraft on stands at Kökşetau International Airport

As of early June 2024, FlyArystan's fleet consists of 20 Airbus A320 aircraft configured with 180/188 economy-class seats. This represents a 5x increase since the launch of FlyArystan in 2019.

The average age of the aircraft is about seven years, making FlyArystan the airline with the youngest fleet in Kazakhstan. The aircraft are named after constellations and stars: Leo, Aquila, Orion, Apus, Delphinus, Hercules, Pyxis, Sagitta, Draco, Vega, and Rigel, with the tradition of allowing passengers to choose the names.

Managemnt

Since June 2024, Richard Ledger, who previously served as Air Astana's Regional Manager for WesternEurope and the Americas and has been with the Company since 2006, has been acting as President of FlyArystan JSC.

Milestones

• In 2022, self-service passenger terminals called iJan were installed at Almaty International Airport for the first time. These terminals allow passengers to self-check-in for flights, check in baggage, and buy additional services, avoiding queues and saving time. Similar self-service terminals are now installed in 14 cities across Kazakhstan where the airline operates.
• In 2022, FlyArystan completed a full aviation audit by Skytrax and received the highest audit score of 4 stars (noting that no low-cost airline in the world has a 5-star rating).
• On June 20, 2023, the annual Paris Air Show hosted the 24th World Airline Awards ceremony. Kazakhstan's FlyArystan participated for the first time and received the award for "Best Low-Cost Airline in Central Asia and the CIS."
• In 2023, the airline introduced a new Baggage Drop off technology (BagJan) at Almaty International Airport, ensuring a faster and more convenient self-service baggage drop-off process.
• On 24 June 2024, the World Airline Awards2024 ceremony was held at the Fairmont Windsor Park Hotel in London, where the airline was once again awarded "Best Lowcoster in Central Asia and CIS".

Corporate social responsibility

In 2023, the airline supported the families of those who perished in a devastating fire in the Abay region by offering free flights to the relatives of the deceased and the firefighters involved in disaster relief, as well as for transporting humanitarian aid. Additionally, last summer, the airline contributed to the reforestation efforts in the Abay region following the catastrophe. The company purchased and delivered 570 packs or 280 liters of peat substrate for growing plants at the state forest nature reserve "Semey Ormany." This supply of peat substrate was used for 1,325,000 seedlings with a closed root system, intended for spring planting in 2024, covering a total area of 315.5 hectares.

In 2023, FlyArystan officially launched the corporate social responsibility project "Komek," aimed at supporting socially vulnerable groups by providing discounts on commercial flights.

In 2024, the airline supported the public association "Territory of Success," which focuses on the rehabilitation of people with disabilities, by assisting in the acquisition of specialized equipment—an eye tracker. This innovative device plays a crucial role in the lives of people with disabilities, enabling effective communication with the outside world.

In 2024, FlyArystan, in collaboration with Air Astana, provided free assistance in transporting humanitarian aid to those affected by flooding in Western Kazakhstan. They also offered volunteers free round-trip flights to help the victims on-site.

The airline continues to participate in charitable projects and support Kazakhstani citizens on various issues. Partnerships have been established with the Asar-Ume Foundation, "The Man in the Mask" Foundation, Sebebker Bol, Astana Physics Battle, Turkistan Marathon, and Abyroi Run. Additionally, FlyArystan actively supports the development of sports in Kazakhstan and is the official carrier of the hockey club "Saryarka."

External links

• Official website