Bangkok, Asian hub for Kazakhstan
Air Astana steps up operations between Kazakhstan and Bangkok
Feb 28, 2007
The impetus given to tourism in Kazakhstan by the Ali G film, “Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan“, has prompted the national carrier, Air Astana, to step up operations between Kazakhstan and Thailand.
It has also forged an alliance with Thai Airways International to augment its agreement with Bangkok Airways. Bangkok will then become Air Astana’s hub is S.E. Asia. These two airlines will be used to extend Air Astana’s network further afield.
The Republic of Kazakhstan which was formerly part of the Soviet Union, lies between Russia, China and the Islamic world. Until just recently it had only seasonal scheduled flights to Bangkok from Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan, but in November it upgraded this to year-round flights. Next April a larger aircraft will fly the route. At the moment it flies twice weekly with the majority of Kazakhstani tourists heading for Thailand, the most popular destination for them, ahead of London, Moscow and Dubai.
Air Astana is going all out to attract business travellers from Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines and Hong Kong as its economy is growing as quickly as those of India and China. Growth of 10% is expected this year due mainly to Kazakhstan's huge gas reserves and mineral resources.
The carrier is 51% owned by the Kazakhstani government and 49% by BAE Systems Plc UK, and the Boeing 757-200s currently operating on the Almaty-Bangkok route will soon be replaced by Boeing 767-300s which can carry more than 260 passengers.
The airline was founded in late 2001 will have its first wide-bodied aircraft this year. Next month its fleet will grow to 20 when it takes delivery of six additional jets. Airline Business magazine rates it as the world’s fourth fastest growing carrier.
