AIR ASTANA INTRODUCES NEW IN-FLIGHT MENUS

Thursday 16th April 2015

Passengers travelling from Paris among the first to enjoy wider choice of cuisine

Air Astana has started to roll out a range of new in-flight menus using flavours from Central Asia, South and Eastern Asia, the Middle East and Europe, to offer the widest variety of international cuisine to passengers across its route network.  Its new service from Astana to Paris is among the first routes selected to showcase the latest menus, along with flights from Almaty and Istanbul. They will feature on all services from Astana and other destinations from 1st May 2015.

Air Astana is also introducing the popular Kazakh dish of Manty (a meaty dumpling) on selected domestic flights - in business class.  The Air Astana Catering team have been busy creating a range of dishes to appeal to the broadest range of passengers, adhering to the principles of healthy in-flight catering; while ensuring that all cooking technologies meet IATA and HACCP food quality management standards.

 "We have been working closely with our catering partners across our network to produce menus with the greatest variety of flavours and ingredients while also working to maintain the authenticity of traditional dishes," said Richard Hyland, Air Astana Corporate Chef.  For example on flights departing Paris the airline is currently offering confit de canard in business class and coq au vin in economy class; with following menus incorporating more national flavours including foie gras and filet d'agneau en-croute, mushoom duxelles and port wine demi-glaze for business class; and beef bourguignon for economy class.

The inflight cheese board has also been refreshed and fresh herb garnishes introduced on the dinner options.  Business class passengers will enjoy hot breakfast choices and will have options for a hot dinner or hot light meal selection, depending on their appetite.

Air Astana plans to come to London and Frankfurt in the next few weeks to present the new menus as a precursor to them being rolled out on both its UK and Frankfurt routes from the start of the winter schedule.

"Our new inflight offering is in response to passenger feedback.  With our six new menu choices on domestic services we have concentrated on creating the best flavour combinations for faster rotation for our frequently travelling passengers; and I'm confident that all of our passengers will enjoy the new selection of in-flight menus," concluded Richard.

Air Astana currently operates a network of 64 international and domestic routes from hubs in Astana, Almaty and Atyrau. The airline operates a fleet of 30 Boeing 767-300ER, Boeing 757-200, Airbus A320 Family and Embraer 190 aircraft, with an average age of 5.5years. Air Astana was the first carrier within CIS and Eastern Europe to receive a 4 star rating from Skytrax and also named Best Airline in Central Asia and India for the past three years. Air Astana has repeatedly passed the IATA International Safety Audit (IOSA) and is EASA part 145 certified.

In February 2015, Air Astana received the prestigious Air Transport World Market Leader Award.

Air Astana is a joint venture between Kazakhstan's national wealth fund Samruk Kazyna and BAE Systems, with respective shares of 51% and 49%.

www.airastana.com