Air Astana inaugural flight lands at Dubai airport

Air Astana, Kazakhstan's national carrier which was created in September last year, made its first flight to Dubai yesterday.

Twice a week, the airline will link Kazakhstan's Almaty, Astana, Aktau and Aktobe to Dubai.
Formed as a joint venture of the Kazakhstan Government and the UK's BAE Systems Ltd., the airline also has plans to fly to Moscow and Beijing.

The move to link Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city, with the emirate was welcomed by the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation officials.

Jamal Al Hai, strategy and management excellence director, received the delegation on board the first flight, which included Lloyd Paxton, president, Air Astana, and representatives of Kazakhstan's aviation administration, state officials, journalists and passenger guests from Kazakhstan.

"DCA takes pleasure in welcoming Air Astana to Dubai. We wish the airline all success. In the past 10 years, Dubai International Airport has grown tremendously and has earned the reputation of being one of the top airports in the world today," said Al Hai.

"Dubai's open skies policy and the high standards of services and facilities offered makes the emirate a preferred leisure and business destination. We look forward to more airlines coming in to Dubai."

The airlines fleet includes 3 Boeing 737-800/700 which have two classes - 20 in business and either 136 or 96 in economy.