Air Astana plans more rapid regional growth as Kazakhstan emerges as world’s fastest growing market

Air Astana is planning to focus on further expansion of its short-haul international network in 2013 as it looks to leverage its position as the strongest carrier in the fast-growing Kazakhstan market and the Central Asia region. Air Astana plans to add capacity on several regional routes, most of which it has launched over the last two years as part of its extended home market strategy, while launching service to Kiev in the Ukraine and potentially Sochi or Ufa in Russia.

Air Astana will take a hiatus in growing its long-haul network after significant expansion over the last six months, including the launch of services to Hong Kong and Ho Chi Minh. The carrier, which enjoyed its 10th consecutive year of profitability in 2012 and ended the year with a respectable albeit reduced profit margin of about 6%, plans to resume long-haul expansion in 2014.