Air Astana plans more rapid growth in 2014 but Kazakhstan airline market shows signs of slowing down

Air Astana is planning another year of double-digit capacity growth in 2014 as the Kazakhstan flag carrier expands its 767, A320 and E190 fleets. The carrier will focus on further expansion in the CIS and Central Asia region, but new 767-300ERs will also enable some capacity growth across its long-haul network.

ASK growth of 15% is expected for 2014, following 16% growth in 2013. But Air Astana plans to slow down expansion in 2015, ending a period of five consecutive years of expansion at a pace of approximately 15% per annum.

Market conditions have become less favourable in 2013, impacting load factors and profit margins. The prospect of increased competition, including the possible opening of Kazakhstan's domestic market to Russian carriers, clouds Air Astana's medium to long term outlook.