Air Astana, Kazakhstan’s flag carrier, has signed an agreement with Air Lease Corporation for the long-term lease of three Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.   

The leased aircraft are scheduled to begin arriving from the first half of 2025 and will support the airline’s fleet modernization and expanding operations, according to a statement released by the airline. 

“The Boeing 787-9 is an important aircraft to Air Astana’s fleet modernization as we expand our routes and focus on passenger experience,” said Peter Foster, President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Astana. 

“We are pleased to announce this lease placement for three new Boeing 787-9 aircraft with Air Astana today,” Steven Udvar-Házy, Executive Chairman of Air Lease Corporation, added. “These aircraft will greatly enhance Air Astana’s long-range network capabilities and passenger comfort as the airline expands international routes from Kazakhstan.” 

The Almaty International Airport-based airline currently operates a fleet of 40 aircraft with an average age of 5.2 years. The airline took delivery of two A321LRs since the beginning of the year and expects to take delivery of one more in the coming months.  

FlyArystan, a low-cost carrier and subsidiary of Air Astana’s, also added two Airbus aircraft to its fleet with two more expected to be added by the end of the year, according to the statement.