On May 15, 2026, Air Astana marked the 24th anniversary of its first commercial flight, a milestone that reflects the airline’s growth from a small regional carrier into the largest airline group in Central Asia and the Caucasus.
The airline launched in May 2002 with just three aircraft. Today, Air Astana Group operates a fleet of 63 aircraft, serving 44 international and 14 domestic destinations across Asia, Europe and Kazakhstan.
Air Astana – 24 Years
The largest airline group in Central Asia and the Caucasus by fleet size and revenue:
• 63 aircraft
• Over 100 destinations
• 7,000 employees
• 9,7 million passengers annuallyThank you for choosing to travel with us. pic.twitter.com/yGGy3XRXLw
— Air Astana (@airastana) May 15, 2026
Since its founding, the carrier has transported more than 94 million passengers and has become one of Kazakhstan’s most recognized companies. Over the years, it has received multiple international awards for service excellence and flight safety.
CEO Ibrahim Canliel noted that the airline has grown significantly in terms of its route network, fleet, and workforce.
“We are sincerely grateful to our passengers for their trust and loyalty over these years, and to the team for their professionalism, dedication and outstanding contribution to the airline’s success,” Canliel said.
