World Monitor Mag WM_June 2018 web | Page 136

Air Astana celebrates sixteenth anniversary with opening of new aviation technical centre in Astana

Photo by Nikolay Ustinov
Largest aircraft repair centre in Central Asia offers services to national and international carriers across the region
Air Astana , the award-winning Kazakh flag carrier , marked its sixteenth anniversary with the opening of a new Aviation Technical Centre at Astana ’ s Nursultan Nazarbayev international airport today . The new Aviation Technical Centre enables Air Astana to undertake all aircraft engineering and servicing requirements up to heavy maintenance level . The project was financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development at a cost of US $ 19 million .
The Aviation Technical Centre ’ s energy efficient , single span hangar offers 5556 square meters of floor space and can accommodate a widebody type like the Boeing 787 or Boeing 767 alongside a single aisle aircraft like the latest Airbus A320neo family at the same time . The Canadian designed structure is built to a very high specification and designed to remain fully operational even under the extremely low temperatures experienced in Astana during winter months . In addition to the hangar , the Aviation Technical Centre incorporates a spare parts warehouse and a complete range of workshops for the repair and overhaul of aircraft components . An auxiliary building provides space for the existing Air Astana Engineering and Centre to significantly expand training of engineering and maintenance staff to international standards .
“ With Astana , the futuristic capital of Kazakhstan , and Air Astana , the national flag carrier , respectively celebrating 20th and 16th anniversaries in 2018 , the opening of new Aviation Technical Centre represents a shared cause for celebration ,” said Peter Foster , President and CEO of Air Astana . ” For Astana , the added aerospace infrastructure contributes to the city ’ s standing as the leading air hub in Central Asia , whilst for Air Astana , it represents another significant step in expanding the carrier ’ s capabilities and boosting its international reputation for excellence .”
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