On March 15, 2017, Air Astana and Lufthansa enhanced their cooperation with the signing of a codeshare agreement.
The codeshare agreement is valid on Air Astana’s flights between Astana and Frankfurt, and Lufthansa’s flights from Frankfurt to Almaty and Astana, with effect of March 26, 2017.
This new agreement will allow passengers of both carriers to choose from a combined total of 14 flights per week, rather than seven weekly flights between Kazakhstan and Germany, offered by each carrier. This is particularly convenient for connecting passengers, who now have the ability to choose the flight that best suits their schedule, with seamless connectivity.
Regardless of the operating carrier, passengers can fly a combination of Air Astana and Lufthansa services, using the ticket and code of either of the two airlines.
“I am delighted that the longstanding co-operative relationship between Air Astana and Lufthansa is being further strengthened with the signing of the codeshare agreement”, said Peter Foster, President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Astana. “Passengers flying from Almaty and Astana to Frankfurt can now enjoy a greater choice of flights to best suit their schedules with the convenience of simply using the ticket of either of the two airlines. This is a ‘win-win’ for both airlines and their passengers traveling between Kazakhstan and Germany.”
Axel Hilgers, Senior Director Sales Russia, CIS & Israel, commented: “This code share agreement is great news for our customers, as it makes Kazakhstan more accessible. Passengers of both, Lufthansa and Air Astana, will have a much greater choice in flight options. Kazakhstan is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, and we highly welcome Air Astana as our new partner, and as the leading airline serving Central Asia”.
In order to provide an increased convenience for its passengers, Air Astana will move to Terminal 1 at Frankfurt Airport for ease of connectivity with Lufthansa and partner airline flights.
About Lufthansa AG
Deutsche Lufthansa AG is a globally active aviation group comprising more than 540 subsidiaries and affiliates. The Lufthansa Group is divided into the three strategic areas of Hub Airlines, Point-to-Point Business and Service Companies. In their respective segments, the Lufthansa Group airlines (Lufthansa, Austrian, SWISS, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings) are positioned as quality carriers. The Lufthansa Group’s airlines currently (summer 2017) serve 308 destinations in 103 countries and offer 11.738 weekly frequencies. The Group’s total fleet comprises more than 600 aircraft and will be taking delivery of 251 new aircraft until 2025.
About Air Astana
Kazakhstan’s flag carrier Air Astana commenced scheduled flight operations on May 15, 2002, and currently operates a network of 65 international and domestic routes from hubs in Almaty and Astana. A new route from Almaty to Tehran, Iran, was launched in June 2016. Air Astana’s fleet of 31 aircraft includes Boeing 767-300ER, Boeing 757-200, Airbus A320 family, and Embraer E-190 types. The carrier will take delivery of 11 Airbus A320 neo family aircraft, including four A321 LR between 2016 and 2019, and three Boeing 787 in 2019. Air Astana became the first carrier from Russia, the Commonwealth of Independent States (the CIS) and Eastern Europe, to be awarded the prestigious 4-Star rating by Skytrax at its World Airline Awards 2012, and was also named ‘The Best Airline in Central Asia and India’ that year. Both achievements were repeated in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.
Air Astana is a joint venture between Kazakhstan’s national wealth fund, Samruk Kazyna, and BAE Systems from the UK, with respective shares of 51% and 49%.
For Information please contact:
Air Astana USA Office
E: usa.sales@airastana.com
T: 1 888 855 1557
Air Astana Canada Office
E: canada.sales@airastana.com
T: 1 877 227 8183
www.airastana.com
