OREANDA-NEWS. On 20 March 2008 was announced, that on the 17 March, unfavourable weather conditions at Astana Airport affected scheduled flights of the airline causing a chain delay of about 20 flights and cancellation of 10 others. The affected routes include Almaty-Astana, Almaty-Astana-Istanbul-Astana-Almaty, Astana-Atyrau-Aktau-Astana, Astana-Aktobe-Astana, Astana-Kzylorda-Astana, Astana-Taraz-Astana, Astana-Oskemen, Astana-Pavlodar-Astana, Astana-Kostanay-Astana, Astana-Zhezkazgan-Astana. The Flights KC856 and KC981 were postponed until the following day. Aircraft of Flights KC620 and KC642 landed at other airports.

Berdykhan Agmurov, Control Centre Manager, says: “The runway at Astana Airport was originally closed for cleaning works from the 16 March, 0.45 am, until the 17 March, 6.45 am. On the 17 March, they were prolonged until 2 pm however. The runway had been announced open to use and it was only soon after the opening of the flight trip that the situation had improved”.

Gulnara Satbayeva of Air Astana’s Airport Handling Services at Astana Airport, says: “Duration of delays varied from two to fifteen hours. After first two hours, hot tea was provided to passengers. As far as delays took place at night, then passengers of delayed flights had immediately been accommodated, at the company’s expenses. Total passengers accommodated are 71. After 4 hours of delay, passengers were provided with hot meal. Airline staff had kept informing passengers on the reasons and circumstances of the delay and made it less a negative experience. Nursery was provided for those travelling with kids under the age of 7”.

Flights delays are an inconvenience not only to passengers but also the airline due to additional financial costs. Air Astana shares and understands the inconvenience such delays cause to its passengers and therefore would apologise for the current circumstances!

“Air Astana” is a full member of IATA and a single airline in Kazakhstan certified for fulfillment of the aircrafts maintenance on European standards EASA/Part 145.

“Air Astana” JSC is  joint enterprise of Kazakhstan state Holding “Samruk” and British company "BAE System" with the share holding of 51% and 49% accordingly.

At the present day “Air Astana” aircraft fleet consist of western aircrafts such as B767-300, В757-200, А321, А320, F50.