Air Astana Operating Profit Increases 35% in 2014

Kazakhstan’s flag carrier Air Astana, has reported an operating profit of US$97.7 million in 2014, an increase of 35% over 2013 and the highest in the company’s 13 year history.

Net profit fell by 62% to US$19.3 million due to a one-off revaluation of external debt of US$49 million caused by the devaluation of the Kazakh Tengue by 19% in February 2014. Passenger traffic rose by 3% to 3.8 million, whilst revenue fell by 3% to $932.9 million.

"2014 was a good year considering the Tengue devaluation and uncertainty in the region following the sanctions imposed on Russia, our largest market after Kazakhstan. The excellent operating result was a result of a 7% drop in unit cost and a rise in transit business to and from the region," said President and CEO, Peter Foster. "Continued regional political and economic uncertainty would lead to 2015 being a difficult year."

In 2014 the airline took delivery of three Airbus 320s, one Embraer 190 and two Boeing 767s, mostly replacement aircraft, resulting in an average fleet age of 5.5 years.

Air Astana commenced regular flight operations on 15 May 2002 and currently operates a network of 60 international and domestic routes from hubs in Astana, Almaty and Atyrau.

The airline operates a fleet of 30 Boeing 767-300ER, Boeing 757-200, Airbus A320 Family and Embraer 190 aircraft. Air Astana has repeatedly passed the IATA International Safety Audit (IOSA) and is EASA part 145 certified.