Air Astana sees jump in profits
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Air Astana achieved a strong rise in profits in the first half of 2013.
Figures released by Kazakhstan’s national carrier yesterday showed a net profit of US$11.9 million for the first six months of 2013 – 143% higher than the corresponding period last year.
The airline’s revenue increased by 12% to US$442.6m, as passenger traffic climbed 11% to 1.7m. This was facilitated by a 13% expansion of Air Astana’s available seat capacity, after the airline took delivery of its seventh Embraer E190 and its 12th Airbus A320, while retiring its two remaining Fokker 50s. Air Astana now operates a fleet of 26 aircraft.
The carrier’s president, Peter Foster, said that a reduction in “both fuel and non-fuel costs” helped the airline raise profits.
“The first half is generally the low season for us and this year is no exception. The results are nonetheless fair, driven by modest fuel savings and strong growth on routes to Istanbul, helped by the new codeshare with Turkish Airlines, and on the new routes to Kiev,” Foster said.
The first half of the year saw the Kazakh carrier commence new services from Almaty to Ho Chi Minh City (via Bangkok), Kiev and Kostanay, from Astana to Kiev, Orenburg and Bishkek and from Atyrau to Moscow.
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