Airbus said on Monday that Air Astana Group has signed a firm order for 25 A320neo Family aircraft, marking the largest direct aircraft order in the airline group’s history.

The agreement, announced in a press release issued on March 2, includes five A320neo and 20 A321neo aircraft. Airbus said the order coincides with the 20th anniversary of Air Astana’s first A320 operations in 2006.

Air Astana Group, described by Airbus as the leading airline group in Central Asia and the Caucasus by revenue and fleet size, currently operates 59 aircraft from the A320 Family. The newly ordered jets will be deployed across both its full-service carrier Air Astana and its low-cost subsidiary FlyArystan as part of a broader fleet expansion and renewal strategy.

“Air Astana’s large order for a new fleet of Airbus A320neo Family aircraft reflects a commitment to maintaining its reputation for operational efficiency and service excellence in the long term,” Air Astana CEO Peter Foster said in the statement. He added that the A321LR variant in a premium configuration has enabled the carrier to offer long-haul narrow-body services with extended range and enhanced onboard experience, and expressed confidence that the new fleet would support sustainable growth and profitability.

Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Executive Vice President Sales of Airbus’ Commercial Aircraft business, said the order “further validates the unmatched economics and market appeal of the A320neo Family” in a rapidly expanding aviation market. He added that the agreement reinforces a longstanding partnership between the two companies.

The A320 Family is Airbus’ best-selling single-aisle aircraft line, with more than 19,000 orders worldwide, according to the manufacturer. The A321neo, the largest member of the family, offers extended range and increased capacity. Airbus says the A320neo Family delivers at least 20% fuel savings and CO₂ emissions reduction compared with previous-generation single-aisle aircraft, while offering one of the widest cabins in its category.

Airbus also said the A320 Family can currently operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), with a target for all its aircraft to be capable of operating on up to 100% SAF by 2030.

The new order is expected to support Air Astana Group’s network growth and fleet modernisation plans, potentially increasing capacity and operational efficiency as demand for air travel in Central Asia continues to expand.

Source: Airbus Press Release