The chief executive of Air Astana (KC, Astana Nursultan Nazarbayev) says the entry into service of the carrier's first B787-9, expected towards the end of 2025, will not happen until 2026, delaying the planned start of flights to the United States.
"Unfortunately, the delivery is delayed due to the general problems that Boeing is currently experiencing," CEO Peter Foster told Forbes Kazakhstan. The first B787-9 will not arrive until mid-2026.
According to ch-aviation fleets data, Air Astana has three B787-9s and three B787-8 due. The decision to acquire the aircraft was a significant strategic shift for the carrier, which, to date, has heavily focused on Airbus narrowbodies. The -9s are arriving via Air Lease Corporation, while the -8s are a direct order with Boeing, although it is unclear whether Air Astana still intends to take those.
The B787-9s, ordered in 2022, were initially expected to start arriving in early 2025. However, in mid-2025, the Kazakh government, which owns Air Astana, said the first would not arrive until late 2025. Among other destinations, the B787s would be used to start flights to the United States. However, plans to commence those flights running sometime in 2025 are now dashed.
Despite the delays, Foster was generally positive about developments at Boeing and its ongoing inability to adhere to delivery schedules. "My personal opinion is that Boeing is already getting into shape," he said. "There have been changes made there, and I see them as positive."
Boeing recently announced that it delivered 130 aircraft in the first quarter of 2025, including thirteen B787s. This contrasts with 83 aircraft (including thirteen B787s) in the first quarter of 2024.
No plans to sell FlyArystan
Foster also reiterated that Air Astana has no intention to sell its low-cost carrier subsidiary FlyArystan. Despite the carrier recently obtaining its own Air Operator's Certificate and starting operations under its licence, it remains owned by Air Astana.
"The most important thing in terms of ensuring flight safety, operational procedures are 100% connected and integrated with the corresponding systems for ensuring safety and operational excellence of Air Astana," he said.
ch-aviation schedules data reveals that FlyArystan will commence operations on its new route between Almaty International and Yining, starting May 18. The airline plans to utilise A320 family aircraft on the new service to China.
FlyArystan's fleet currently comprises fourteen A320-200s and eleven A320-200Ns. Meanwhile, Air Astana operates 33 aircraft: eleven A320-200Ns, three A321-200s, four A321-200Ns, twelve A321-200NX(LR)s, and three B767-300ERs. The company has recently retired its fleet of ERJ 190-300 aircraft due to their poor reliability.
