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| Photo Air Astana |
The aircraft leasing specialists, Air Lease Corporation have confirmed the delivery of one new Airbus A321-200neo LR aircraft on long-term lease to Air Astana.
This super advanced jet is powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1133G engines and is the fifth new A321-200neo LR to deliver to Air Astana from ALC’s order book with Airbus. In addition to the five A321-200neo LRs, Air Astana also has one A320-200, two A320-200neos and one A321-200neo on long-term lease from ALC.
“ALC is pleased to deliver this fifth A321-200neo LR aircraft to Air Astana today,” said Steven F. Udvar-Hรกzy, Executive Chairman of Air Lease Corporation. “Our team has been thrilled to assist the airline with their long-term fleet modernization program.”
The Airbus A321neo LR is a long-range version of A321neo, with increased maximum take-off weight and associated design modifications. The aircraft is configured with 16 Business class seats and 150 Economy class seats.
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| Photo Air Astana |
The specification of the Business Class flat beds, Economy Class slim seats and other cabin amenities will ensure that passengers experience the very highest standards of comfort and service on routes to Western Europe, Southeast Asia, Moscow, Dubai, Istanbul and Beijing.
“We are pleased to have taken delivery of our fifth A321LR from our partners at ALC,” said Peter Foster, President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Astana. “The LR, with its improved range, lower emissions and outstanding two class configuration, including a 16 lie-flat seat Business Class cabin, is proving immensely popular with customers and crews alike, as we expand our international network following last year’s significant reduction.”
Air Astana is estimating financial performance for the combined months of January and February 2021 at its highest level since 2017, after reporting a loss of $94m in 2020. The 2020 figure, the airline’s second-ever annual loss, was the result of total or partial shutdowns caused by the coronavirus pandemic, which resulted in capacity and revenue falls of 47% and 55% respectively. Total passengers carried fell by 28% to 3.7m.
Commenting on the results, Peter Foster stated, "whilst the devastating effect of the pandemic on international travel needs no elaboration, the airline is resilient. Domestic air travel recovered strongly from May, and our low cost carrier FlyArystan recorded 110% passenger growth. Cargo had a good year, helped by the conversion of a Boeing 767 into an all-freight configuration, and the partially-restored international network, together with new leisure routes, recorded improved yields and load factors in the final weeks of the year. We are seeing these trends continue into 2021, hence the improved outlook for this year."
With the additional A321-200neoLR's arrival, the airline now has a fleet of some 34 for aircraft, with an average fleet age of just 3.5 years, one of the newest fleets in the world.
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| Photo Air Astana |
