Qazaq Air (IQ, Astana Nursultan Nazarbayev) and VietJetAir (VJ, Hanoi Noi Bai International) will launch a new airline brand called Vietjet Qazaqstan that will replace the existing Qazaq Air brand. This follows a consortium called Central Asia Aviation Holdings Limited buying a 51% stake in the formerly majority state-owned Qazaq Air in late 2024.

The consortium is a subsidiary of the Vietnamese conglomerate Sovico Group JSC and Kazasia Holdings Limited. Sovico founded VietJetAir and remains a major shareholder in the airline.

“We highly appreciate the intention of Sovico Group and VietJetAir to join the management and operational activity of Qazaq Air under [the] new brand VietJet Kazakhstan," said the chairman of the Kazakh sovereign wealth fund Samruk Kazyna, Nurlan Zhakupov. "The expansion of the route network in the region will enhance transport connectivity and create new economic growth points."

Samruk Kazyna wholly owned Qazaq Air on behalf of the Kazakhstan government. Neither party has disclosed the cost of the 51% shareholding, although the government earlier expected to net around KZT2 billion tenge (USD3.9 million).

"As a new-age low-cost airline, Vietjet Qazaqstan is expected to become a strategic air bridge connecting Kazakhstan with Vietnam, Southeast Asia, and global aviation hubs," reads a May 6, 2025, VietJetAir statement. "The airline will meet the growing travel demand in Kazakhstan while boosting cross-border tourism, trade, and logistics throughout Asia."

Vietjet Qazaqstan will operate a fleet of at least twenty B737s, likely to be sourced directly from VietJetAir. According to the ch-aviation fleets module, VietJetAir has 268 aircraft on order, including fifty B737-8s and 100 B737-8-200s. Vietjet Qazaqstan and Boeing have also signed a Customer Services General Terms Agreement to support the future fleet.

"Boeing will provide comprehensive services including software solutions, spare parts supply, technical assistance, as well as training programs for pilots and engineers," continues the statement. "The partnership also covers aircraft modifications and upgrades to ensure efficient and safe operations. Vietjet will bring deep expertise in modern airline operations, cutting-edge technology, and a global partner network."

The statement did not say when Qazaq Air would rebrand as Vietjet Qazaqstan.