World Monitor Magazine WM_Energy_ 2019_web | Page 73
Skytrax World Airline Awards names
Air Astana a winner eight years in a row
Air Astana, the flag carrier of Kazakhstan, has been recognised
for 4-star service excellence, retaining the accolade of "Best
Airline in Central Asia and India" in the Skytrax World Airline
Awards for the eighth consecutive year. The prestigious
awards ceremony took place at the 53nd edition of the Paris
Air Show at Le Bourget on 18 June 2019.
The Skytrax World Airline Awards are recognised throughout
the world as a valued benchmarking tool that is independent,
impartial and global. The survey measures passenger
satisfaction among business and leisure travellers, across all
cabins (First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy Class
and Economy class).
Over 21 million air travellers were surveyed about their experiences
with airlines on the ground and in the air over a 10-month period.
The survey measured passenger satisfaction across a wide
range of performance indicators of airline front-line product
and service, including check-in, boarding, on-board seat comfort,
cabin cleanliness, food, beverages, in-flight entertainment and
staff service. The survey covered 300 airlines, from the largest
international airlines to smaller domestic carriers.
“Skytrax is the Gold Standard for airline service so we are
delighted to have yet again won our regional league which
covers a vast area of the globe and includes many excellent
airlines. I am very grateful to our customers and to my
colleagues”, said Peter Foster, President and CEO of Air
Astana.
Air Astana, the national carrier of Kazakhstan, operates
flights to over 60 domestic and international routes
from hubs in Nur-Sultan and Almaty. The company was
incorporated in late 2001 and commenced operations on
15 May 2002. The Air Astana fleet consists of 35 aircraft
including Boeing 767/ 757, Airbus A320/A321neo, and
Embraer 190/E2.
Air Astana became the first carrier from Russia, the
Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Eastern
Europe to be awarded a prestigious 4-Star rating by Skytrax
at its World Airline Awards 2012 and was also named
‘The Best Airline in Central Asia and India’ that year. Both
achievements were repeated for the eighth consecutive year
(2012-2019). Air Astana also named Winner in TripAdvisor
2018 and 2019 Travellers' Choice Awards.
Air Astana is a joint venture between Kazakhstan’s
national wealth fund, Samruk Kazyna, and BAE Systems,
with respective shares of 51% and 49%.
supported by EUROBAK
67