Air Astana leases five
E190-E2s from aercap
Air Astana, the national carrier of Kazakhstan, has signed
a long-term lease agreement with AerCap for five Embraer
E90-E2s, which will commence delivery to the airline during
the final quarter of 2018.
Peter Foster, President and CEO of Air Astana, stated
that, “The acquisition of the E2 is the logical replacement
of the E190, which we have been successfully operating
since 2011. The E190 has enabled us to open up smaller
markets in southern Russia, the Caucasus, and Central Asia
including smaller domestic routes. As domestic and regional
competition grows, we estimate the E2 will deliver up to
15% seat cost savings, which will enable us to increase
capacity and market share on these routes and maintain
our position as the region’s leading airline. We are delighted
to have concluded the lease agreements with AerCap, with
whom we have been working closely for many years.”
“We are very pleased to confirm our lease of five E190-E2
jets to Air Astana,” commented AerCap President and
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Chief Commercial Officer, Philip Scruggs. “The E2 aircraft
offer greater range and operational efficiency which will
support Air Astana’s growing network and open new market
opportunities. AerCap is proud to support our partners at
Air Astana and Embraer, and we wish them every success.”
“Since receiving their first E190 in 2011, Air Astana has
opened several new markets. In addition, Air Astana has
won ‘Best Airline in Central Asia and India’ in the Skytrax
World Airline Awards for the last six consecutive years.
Embraer is proud to be part of this outstanding success
story, and the strong relationship between our companies
and AerCap, who are a major partner on the E2 program,”
said John Slattery, President and CEO, Embraer Commercial
Aviation.
AerCap is the launch lessor customer of Embraer’s E-Jets
E2 second generation of this family of commercial aircraft,
with a total of 50 Embraer E190-E2s and E195-E2s on
order.