Air Astana Expands Long-Haul Fleet with Additional Boeing 787-9 Orders

Kazakhstan’s award-winning flag carrier Air Astana has announced a major expansion of its long-haul fleet with a new order for 15 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners—its largest aircraft order to date. The deal includes five firm orders, five options, and five purchase rights, and has been approved by the airline’s Board of Directors, with final procedural steps now underway.

This new order adds to the three Boeing 787-9s scheduled for delivery in 2026 and 2027, bringing the total commitment to 18 aircraft. The newly ordered aircraft are expected to be delivered between 2032 and 2035. Based on current list prices, the total value of the 18-aircraft fleet, including engines, is estimated at USD 7 billion.

Air Astana CEO Peter Foster commented:

“Air Astana is strategically committed to expanding its service capability from Central Asia and the Caucasus to Asia, Europe, and the rest of the world over the next decade. The arrival of our first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner next year marks the beginning of this exciting new phase of growth. With its passenger-friendly cabin, fuel efficiency, and range flexibility, a fleet of 18 Dreamliners will represent a remarkable achievement for both the airline and our discerning customers.”

Air Astana has a long-standing relationship with Boeing aircraft. Since its founding in 2002, the airline’s fleet initially comprised Boeing 737-700/800s for domestic and regional operations, followed by Boeing 757-200s for longer routes to Asia and Europe. The airline retired its 737s in 2007 and its 757s in 2020, while continuing to operate three Boeing 767-300ERs delivered in 2013, which remain active on high-density domestic and international routes today.