Page 23 - AAA JANUARY- FEBRUARY 2013 Online Magazine

FEATURE kAzAkhsTAn inFRAsTRUcTURE

“Plans are in place to build a new aircraft. Tyler referred to this decision as
terminal capable of handling 2,500 “absolutely absurd... [Air Astana] cannot
passengers per hour. That will provide fly its newest aircraft to Europe. How could
some relief, but we need to think that possibly improve safety?” he asks.
strategically and beyond that to ensure At the time of writing, the airline has
the economic opportunities are not ordered four Boeing 767-300ERs that
artificially constrained by a lack of cannot be deployed on EU routes. “This
infrastructure,” says Tyler. is purely a punitive measure designed
Meanwhile, flag carrier Air Astana has to pressure Kazakhstan to implement
placed an order for 15 planes, including reforms,” adds Peter Foster, President
three Boeing 787-8s. It currently operates of Air Astana. Air Astana is 51% owned
a fleet of 26 aircraft, but faces problems as by Kazakhstan’s sovereign wealth fund
the lack of national aviation infrastructure Samruk-Kazyna and 49% by BAE Systems,
resulted in the European Union placing Europe’s largest defense contractor.
Kazakh carriers on its safety blacklist, In April 2009, Foster said that “two
banning the carrier from flying to the EU. significant safety concerns were identified
While Air Astana is an exception, it in the area of aircraft operations and
can only fly the same planes it did before aircraft airworthiness, pertaining to
the ban was imposed, not the newest the issuance of air operator certificates

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