FlyArystan
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Founded | 2 November 2018 (as a division of Air Astana) | ||||||
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Commenced operations | 29 March 2019 | ||||||
Operating bases | |||||||
Fleet size | 16 | ||||||
Destinations | 24 as of September 2023[3] | ||||||
Parent company | Air Astana | ||||||
Headquarters | Almaty, Kazakhstan | ||||||
Key people |
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Website | www.flyarystan.com |
FlyArystan is a low-cost airline headquartered in Almaty, Kazakhstan.[5] It is the country's first low cost carrier.[6] The company slogan is Say YES! to Travel.[7][8]
It is the wholly owned low cost subsidiary of Air Astana.[9] The airline commenced operations in May 2019[10] and operates a comprehensive network of low fare flights on a modern fleet of A320 aircraft. Its route network includes both domestic flights as well as international routes.[11]
In 2024, FlyArystan received its own Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan (AAK), confirming compliance with Kazakh aviation legislation and international operational standards. This enables FlyArystan to obtain its own IATA code to expand its presence in foreign markets and cooperate with other airlines. FlyArystan is a 100% subsidiary of Air Astana JSC.[1][2]
History
[edit]FlyArystan's sales commenced on 29 March 2019 on its website.[12][13] The airline flew its first flights on 1 May 2019 with services from its hub airport, Almaty International Airport.[10]
Peter Foster, President and CEO of Air Astana, was quoted at a press conference in Almaty on 6 November 2018 as saying that FlyArystan is “on the one hand a response to demand for lower airfares in a more competitive local market, on the other, a recognition of the huge opportunity for low cost air travel throughout Central Asia and the Caucasus”.[14]
Awards
[edit]In November 2022 FlyArystan was recognised as a 4-star airline by SkyTrax.[11] FlyArystan is one of only 12 LCCs to be assessed as 4-star quality.[citation needed]
In July 2023 FlyArystan was voted "Best LCC Central Asia & CIS" by SkyTrax.[15]
In June 2024, the World Airline Awards2024 ceremony was held at the Fairmont Windsor Park Hotel in London, where the airline was once again awarded "Best Lowcoster in Central Asia and CIS". [3]
Destinations
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/ff/Countries_in_which_FlyArystan_operates.svg/220px-Countries_in_which_FlyArystan_operates.svg.png)
FlyArystan is Kazakhstan's largest domestic airline, offering more flights and more seats than any other airline.[citation needed] As of September 2023 the route network includes 24 destinations, including 14 domestic and 10 International.[3] FlyArystan has 5 aircraft bases: Almaty, Astana, Atyrau, Aqtau and Şymkent.[citation needed]
FlyArystan commenced international flights in 2019 and since then it offers flights from multiple points in Kazakhstan.[citation needed] As of October 2023 besides the airline serves flights to destinations in Azerbaijan, China, Georgia, India,[17] Kyrgyzstan, Qatar,[18] Tajikistan, Turkey[19] and Uzbekistan.[20][21]
Fleet
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/20/FlyArystan_in_Kokshetau_Airport.jpg/262px-FlyArystan_in_Kokshetau_Airport.jpg)
Current fleet
[edit]FlyArystan operates a standardised fleet of Airbus A320 family aircraft with a 180 seat layout. FlyArystan's A320neos have a 188 seat layout to maximise seat capacity in line with LCC principles.[22]
As of September 2023[update] the fleet of FlyArystan consists of the following aircraft:[23]
Aircraft | In service | Orders | Seats | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Airbus A320-200 | 12 | — | 180 | Eight aircraft were transferred from Air Astana. |
Airbus A320neo | 6 | 1[24] | 188 | New deliveries from Airbus |
Total | 16 | 2 |
Fleet development
[edit]FlyArystan placed a letter of intent at the Dubai Airshow 2019 for 30 Boeing 737 MAX 8s[25] which was not put into an actual order as yet.
In December 2022 it was reported that FlyArystan plans to grow its fleet to 19 planes by the end of 2023.[citation needed]
Milestones
[edit]In 2022, self-service passenger terminals called iJan were installed at Almaty International Airport for the first time. These terminals allow passengers to self-check-in for flights, check in baggage, and buy additional services, avoiding queues and saving time. Similar self-service terminals are now installed in 14 cities across Kazakhstan where the airline operates.[4][5]
In 2023, the airline introduced a new Baggage Drop off technology (BagJan) at Almaty International Airport, ensuring a faster and more convenient self-service baggage drop-off process. [6]
Corporate social responsibility
[edit]In 2023, the airline supported the families of those who perished in a devastating fire in the Abay region by offering free flights to the relatives of the deceased and the firefighters involved in disaster relief, as well as for transporting humanitarian aid.[7] Additionally, last summer, the airline contributed to the reforestation efforts in the Abay region following the catastrophe. The company purchased and delivered 570 packs or 280 liters of peat substrate for growing plants at the state forest nature reserve "Semey Ormany." This supply of peat substrate was used for 1,325,000 seedlings with a closed root system, intended for spring planting in 2024, covering a total area of 315.5 hectares. [8]
In 2023, FlyArystan officially launched the corporate social responsibility project "Komek," aimed at supporting socially vulnerable groups by providing discounts on commercial flights. [9]
References
[edit]- ^ "The Aviation Codes Website - Airline Codes Full Details".
- ^ "The Aviation Codes Website - Airline Codes Full Details".
- ^ a b c "FlyArystan Online Booking". FlyArystan. 6 September 2023.
- ^ "The Aviation Codes Website - Airline Codes Full Details".
- ^ "FlyArystan. Airline code, web site, phone, reviews and opinions". www.airlines-inform.com. Retrieved 2023-09-28.
- ^ Saunders, Eddie (2019-10-21). "FlyArystan, Kazakhstan's first budget airline launches Moscow flight". Airline Ground Services. Retrieved 2023-09-28.
- ^ "FlyArystan - Say YES to travel!". flyarystan.com. Retrieved 2023-09-28.
- ^ "Karina Bexultanova, Recruitment Executive - FlyArystan". kz.linkedin.com. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
- ^ Varley, Len (2023-09-04). "FlyArystan expands India and Central Asia network". AviationSource News. Retrieved 2023-09-28.
- ^ a b "New Kazakh low-cost carrier Fly Arystan takes off". Retrieved 10 May 2019.
- ^ a b Plaisted, James (2022-12-07). "FlyArystan is Certified as a 4-Star Low-Cost Airline". Skytrax. Retrieved 2023-09-28.
- ^ Times, Astana (2019-05-05). "Low-cost FlyArystan launches first flight from Almaty to Nur-Sultan". The Astana Times. Retrieved 2023-09-28.
- ^ "The Secrets of Flyarystan". 31 Oct 2019. Retrieved 2023-09-28 – via PressReader.
- ^ Olstad, Adrian (2022-09-30). "FlyArystan Takes Delivery of A320neo From Aviation Capital Group". AviationSource News. Retrieved 2023-09-28.
- ^ "World's Best Low-Cost Airlines 2023". SKYTRAX. Retrieved 2023-09-28.
- ^ "Kazakhstan - trips". Kiwi.com. 6 September 2023.
- ^ "FlyArystan Moves Almaty – Mumbai Launch to early-Jan 2024". AeroRoutes. 29 December 2023. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
- ^ "FlyArystan Preliminary NW23 Qatar Operations". AeroRoutes. 23 October 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
- ^ "FlyArystan Plans Karaganda – Antalya Service From late-May 2024". AeroRoutes. 10 April 2024. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
- ^ "Destinations". flyarystan.com. 6 September 2023.
- ^ "FlyArystan Adds Nukus Service From June 2024". AeroRoutes. 19 March 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
- ^ "FlyArystan presents first aircraft | CAPA". centreforaviation.com.
- ^ "FlyArystan Fleet Details". airfleets.net. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
- ^ Olstad, Adrian (2022-09-30). "FlyArystan Takes Delivery of A320neo From Aviation Capital Group". AviationSource News. Retrieved 2023-09-07.
- ^ "Boeing, Air Astana Announce Intent To Buy 30 737 MAX Airplanes - Nov 19, 2019". MediaRoom.