FIRST EMBRAER E190-E2 FOR AIR ASTANA ARRIVES IN KAZAKHSTAN

Monday 3rd December 2018

New aircraft features special Snow Leopard livery:

The first new generation Embraer E190-E2 for Air Astana arrived at Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport in Astana today, following ferry flights from the manufacturer's factory in São José dos Campos, Brazil.  This is the first of five Embraer E2 aircraft scheduled to be delivered to Air Astana, following an order originally placed in August, 2017. Air Astana currently operates a fleet of nine Embraer E190 aircraft on domestic and low-density regional services, with the first aircraft having entered service in 2011.  The new generation Embraer E190-E2 aircraft will gradually replace older Embraer E190s in its fleet.

The new aircraft features a special Air Astana "Snow Leopard" livery, which is intended to draw global attention to the threat of extinction faced by this beautiful large wild cat, which is a native of the mountain ranges in southern Kazakhstan. Air Astana seeks to improve ecological protection for endangered species, like the Snow Leopard, as well as more widely preserving the environment.

The twin engine, single aisle Embraer E190-E2 belongs to the family of upgraded E-Jets, which offer lower operating costs, emissions and noise levels, with a range of more than 5,000 km.

About Air Astana

Air Astana, the national carrier of Kazakhstan, operates flights to over 60 domestic and international routes from hubs in Astana and Almaty. The company was incorporated in late 2001 and commenced operations on 15 May 2002. The Air Astana fleet consists of Boeing 767, 757, Airbus A319, A320, A320neo, A321, A321neo and Embraer 190 aircraft.

Air Astana became the first carrier from Russia, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Eastern Europe to be awarded a prestigious 4-Star rating by Skytrax at its World Airline Awards 2012 and was also named 'The Best Airline in Central Asia and India' that year. Both achievements were repeated in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

Air Astana is a joint venture between Kazakhstan's national wealth fund, Samruk Kazyna, and BAE Systems, with respective shares of 51% and 49%. Air Astana was named Winner in the TripAdvisor 2018 Travellers' Choice Awards.

www.airastana.com