OREANDA-NEWS. May 11, 2011. The first Air Astana Embraer 190 arrived at Almaty International Airport. The aircraft was delivered directly from Embraer’s manufacturing facility in the Brazilian city of San-Jose-dos-Campos, from where it had departed from four days previously. The delivery flights totalled 22 hours in the air, with the aircraft making four scheduled stops en-route for refuelling and crew rest. Upon arrival in Almaty, the E-190 was examined by Air Astana engineering department, which undertook a series of technical and documentation checks, reported the press-centre of Air Astana.

A total of 23 Air Astana pilots have been trained so far to fly the Embraer E-190 at Flight Safety International in Paris and they will now undertake final flight familiarisation on the Air Astana E-190 before the first aircraft enters commercial service later this month.

The Embraer 190 was selected for its advanced design, passenger comfort and operating efficiency, with low maintenance costs and fuel burn. The twin engine jet is optimised for medium range flights, with a maximum capability of flying 4,500 km.

Official presentation of the Air Astana Embraer 190 is scheduled on May 23rd 2011.