Air Astana Delays U.S. Launch Due to Boeing 787 Delays
Air Astana has postponed the debut of its long-haul service to the United States due to delays in the delivery of its first Boeing 787-9 aircraft. Originally expected by the end of 2025, the airline now anticipates receiving the aircraft in mid-2026, pushing back its U.S. launch plans.
CEO Peter Foster confirmed the delay, citing Boeing’s ongoing production issues. “Unfortunately, the delivery is delayed due to the general problems that Boeing is currently experiencing,” he told Forbes Kazakhstan.
According to ch-aviation data, Air Astana has three Boeing 787-9s on order via Air Lease Corporation and three Boeing 787-8s directly ordered from Boeing. The airline has not confirmed whether it still intends to receive the -8s.
The widebody acquisition represents a strategic shift for Air Astana, which has historically focused on Airbus narrowbody aircraft. The 787-9s were initially scheduled for delivery in early 2025 to support the launch of new long-haul routes, including to the United States. However, those plans are now on hold until 2026.
Despite the setback, Foster expressed optimism about Boeing’s efforts to resolve its supply chain and production challenges, noting recent improvements and changes within the company.
Air Astana has no plans to sell its low-cost subsidiary FlyArystan, which now holds its own Air Operator’s Certificate. FlyArystan will launch a new route from Almaty to Yining, China, on May 18 using its A320 family aircraft. Its fleet includes 25 aircraft, while Air Astana operates 33 aircraft, including three Boeing 767-300ERs.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com