OREANDA-NEWS. On December 25, 2007 at a meeting of the Air Astana Airlines’ Board of Directors which comprises representatives of the Kazakhstan’s Samruk (a company for state assets management) and the UK’s ВАЕ Systems, a decision was taken to sign LOIs to place firm orders for deliveries of six Airbus A320 aircraft and three Boeing 787-8 aircraft powered with Rolls Royce Trent 1000 engines, reported the Official website http://en.government.kz.

The meeting also coordinated the issue of purchasing of an option for three Airbus A320-200 aircraft and three Boeing 787-8 aircraft. The meeting of the Board was held December 14.

The total value of the firm orders and options makes up USD 950 million and USD 736 million respectively. The first deliveries of the aircraft are scheduled for 2012. The state-of-the-art wide-bodied Boeing 787-8 was designed employing the most advanced technology. Its exploitation worldwide will start in 2008.

The narrow-bodied А320 are renowned globally and have been successfully operated by over 200 airlines. As of today, Airbus has delivered over 3300 А320-family aircraft, 7 of which are part of the Air Astana Airlines fleet.

“This is the first order placed by the carrier under the strategic program of increasing the fleet from the current 18 to 63 aircraft by 2022. And this is the first order for completely new aircraft produced by established aircraft-makers in the history of Kazakhstan’s civil aviation. The purchase will be financed by the Airlines on its own, without any government guarantees or allocation of funds from the state budget”, Air Astana President Peter Foster said.

Air Astana Airlines is a joint venture of the Kazakhstan’s Samruk and the UK’s ВАЕ Systems that own 51% and 49% respectively. The national carrier is a full member of the IATA and the only Kazakhstan-based airlines certified under EASA/Part 145.

Air Astana was established in September 2001 and launched regular air service in May 2002. As of today, it offers 25 domestic routes and 21 international routes, with the flights performed from the airports of Almaty, Astana and Atyrau, and is one of the fastest-growing airlines in the word. Its fleet comprises Western aircraft, including В767-300, В757-200, А321, А320, F50.