Air Astana signs Codeshare Agreement with Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

Tuesday 2nd February 2016

Air Astana and two of Europe's leading airlines, Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, have today deepened their cooperation by signing a codeshare agreement for flights between Astana and Paris operated by Air Astana.  Effective for flights from 11th March 2016, this three times a week service will now carry the marketing code of both KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Air France. This agreement enables passengers from across KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Air France worldwide networks to be able to purchase tickets and travel seamlessly to and from the Kazakh capital.

To facilitate this closer cooperation and expected growth in transfer traffic, the airlines have also executed baggage and passenger transfer agreements; and the operations of Air Astana flights at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport have been transferred from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2a, effective 11th March 2016 for more convenient connections of passengers to the Air France - KLM network.

Air Astana operates three flights a week between Astana and Paris, Charles de Gaulle on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays, using Boeing B757-200 aircraft, configured with 16 Business Class, 12 Economy Sleeper Class and 108 Economy Class seats.

"We are delighted to strengthen the cooperation with KLM and Air France as part of our bilateral partnership growth strategy. The Agreement adds the Kazakh capital to the KLM and Air France network and at the same time makes it easier for global travelers to fly with Air Astana to and from our home base using the Paris hub.  We believe that Air France and KLM passengers will enjoy Air Astana's award winning 4 Star services.  These first steps pave the way for a strong and long term cooperation between the three carriers," commented Peter Foster, President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Astana.

Guillaume Glass, General Manager Russia & CIS AIR FRANCE KLM: "We have a track record of building successful partnerships with international carriers that broaden our global network. The co-operation with Air Astana is another milestone in our unique global flight network to and from Paris Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. This strategic step will deliver significant benefits to our business and provide our customers with exclusive travel opportunities. Plus we will strengthen our presence in Kazakhstan in the capital city, which will hold the Expo-2017.

www.airastana.com

Notes for editors

Air Astana commenced regular flight operations on 15 May, 2002 and currently operates a network of 64 routes between 39 international and domestic destinations.  Air Astana operates a fleet of 30 aircraft including three Boeing 767-300ER, five Boeing 757-200, thirteen Airbus A320 family aircraft and nine Embraer E-190s. Air Astana became the first carrier from Russia, the Commonwealth of Independent States (the CIS) and Eastern Europe to be awarded the prestigious 4-Star rating by Skytrax in its World Airline Awards 2012 and was named The Best Airline in Central Asia and India.  Both accolades were repeated in 2013, 2014 and 2015. 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%.