FlyArystan
{{Short description|Airline of Kazakhstan}}{{Infobox airline
| airline = FlyArystan
| logo = FlyArystan regular logo.png
| logo_size = 150px
| image = 250px
| caption = FlyArystan Airbus A320-232
| callsign = ARYSTAN
| aoc =
| hubs =
| focus_cities =
| frequent_flyer =
| founded = 2 November 2018
{{nowrap|{{small|(as a division of Air Astana)}}}}
| commenced = {{Start date and age|2019|03|29|df=yes|p=yes}}
| bases = {{Collapsible list
|framestyle=border:none; padding:0;
|title=List of bases
| Almaty International Airport
| Atyrau International Airport
| Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport
| Shymkent International Airport
}}
| fleet_size = 24
| parent = Air Astana
| num_employees =
| website = [https://flyarystan.com/en www.flyarystan.com]
| headquarters = Almaty, Kazakhstan
| key_people = * Richard Ledger, acting CEO
- Pom Warakorn Komutanont, Operations Director
- Aigul Tashbayeva, HR Director
}}
FlyArystan is a low-cost airline headquartered in Almaty, Kazakhstan.{{Cite web |title=FlyArystan. Airline code, web site, phone, reviews and opinions. |url=https://www.airlines-inform.com/world_airlines/flyarystan.html |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=www.airlines-inform.com}} It is the country's first low-cost carrier.{{Cite web |last=Saunders |first=Eddie |date=2019-10-21 |title=FlyArystan, Kazakhstan's first budget airline launches Moscow flight |url=https://airlinergs.com/flyarystan-kazakhstans-first-budget-airline-launches-moscow-flight/ |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=Airline Ground Services |language=en-GB}} The company slogan is Say YES! to Travel.{{Cite web |title=FlyArystan - Say YES to travel! |url=https://flyarystan.com/en |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=flyarystan.com}}{{Cite web |title=Karina Bexultanova, Recruitment Executive - FlyArystan |url=https://kz.linkedin.com/in/karina-bexultanova-b69940179 |access-date=September 28, 2023 |website=kz.linkedin.com}}
It is the wholly owned low-cost subsidiary of Air Astana.{{Cite web |last=Varley |first=Len |date=2023-09-04 |title=FlyArystan expands India and Central Asia network |url=https://aviationsourcenews.com/airline/flyarystan-expands-india-and-central-asia-network/ |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=AviationSource News |language=en-US}} The airline commenced operations in May 2019 and operates a comprehensive network of low fare flights on a modern fleet of Airbus A320 family aircraft. Its route network includes both domestic flights as well as international routes.{{Cite web |last=Plaisted |first=James |date=2022-12-07 |title=FlyArystan is Certified as a 4-Star Low-Cost Airline |url=https://skytraxratings.com/flyarystan-is-certified-as-a-4-star-low-cost-airline |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=Skytrax |language=en-GB}}
In 2024, FlyArystan received its air operator certificate (AOC) from the Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan (AAK), confirming compliance with Kazakh aviation legislation and international operational standards. This enables FlyArystan to obtain its own IATA code to expand its presence in foreign markets and cooperate with other airlines. FlyArystan is a 100% subsidiary of Air Astana JSC.{{Cite web |date=2024-04-03 |title=FlyArystan Receives Air Operator Certificate |url=https://newsroom.aviator.aero/flyarystan-receives-air-operator-certificate/#:~:text=The%20AOC%20issued%20on%201,under%20the%20Air%20Astana%20AOC. |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=AVIATOR |language=en}}
History
FlyArystan's sales commenced on 29 March 2019 on its website.{{Cite web |last=Times |first=Astana |date=2019-05-05 |title=Low-cost FlyArystan launches first flight from Almaty to Nur-Sultan |url=https://astanatimes.com/2019/05/low-cost-flyarystan-launches-first-flight-from-almaty-to-nur-sultan/ |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=The Astana Times |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=31 Oct 2019 |title=The Secrets of Flyarystan |url=https://www.pressreader.com/kazakhstan/tengri/20191031/283824330366708 |access-date=2023-09-28 |via=PressReader}} The airline first flew on 1 May 2019 with services from its hub airport, Almaty International Airport.{{cite web |title=New Kazakh low-cost carrier Fly Arystan takes off
|url=https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2019/05/02/new-kazakh-low-cost-carrier-fly-arystan-takes-off/ |accessdate=10 May 2019 |language=English}}
Peter Foster, president and CEO of Air Astana, said at a press conference in Almaty on 6 November 2018 that FlyArystan is "on the one hand a response to demand for lower airfares in a more competitive local market, on the other, a recognition of the huge opportunity for low cost air travel throughout Central Asia and the Caucasus".{{Cite web |last=Olstad |first=Adrian |date=2022-09-30 |title=FlyArystan Takes Delivery of A320neo From Aviation Capital Group |url=https://aviationsourcenews.com/airline/flyarystan-takes-delivery-of-a320neo-from-aviation-capital-group/ |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=AviationSource News |language=en-US}}
Awards
In November 2022, FlyArystan was recognised as a 4-star airline by SkyTrax. FlyArystan is one of only 12 LCCs to be assessed as 4-star quality.{{cn|date=June 2024}}
In July 2023, FlyArystan was voted "Best LCC Central Asia & CIS" by SkyTrax.{{Cite web |title=World's Best Low-Cost Airlines 2023 |url=https://www.worldairlineawards.com/worlds-best-low-cost-airlines-2023/ |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=SKYTRAX |language=en}}
In June 2024, the World Airline Awards 2024 ceremony was held at the Fairmont Windsor Park Hotel in London, where the airline was once again awarded "Best Lowcoster in Central Asia and CIS".{{Cite web |title=Astanatimes.com |url=https://astanatimes.com/2024/06/two-kazakh-aviation-companies-enter-worlds-top-100-airlines/ |access-date=4 October 2024 |website=astanatimes.com}}
Destinations
File:Countries in which FlyArystan operates.svg
FlyArystan is Kazakhstan's largest domestic airline, offering more flights and more seats than any other airline.{{cn|date=September 2023}} The route network includes 24 destinations, including 14 domestic and 10 international. FlyArystan has five aircraft bases: Almaty, Astana, Atyrau, Aqtau and Şymkent.{{cn|date=June 2024}}
FlyArystan commenced international flights in 2019 and has since offered flights from multiple points in Kazakhstan as well as abroad.{{cite news |last1=Liu |first1=Jim |title=FlyArystan Resumes Astana – Urumqi in 2Q25 |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/250224-fsns25urc |access-date=24 February 2025 |work=AeroRoutes |date=24 February 2025 |language=en-CA}}{{cite news |last1=Liu |first1=Jim |title=FlyArystan Adds Karaganda – Istanbul Service in NS25 |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/250224-fsns25ist |access-date=25 February 2025 |work=AeroRoutes |date=24 February 2025 |language=en-CA}}{{cite news |last1=Liu |first1=Jim |title=FlyArystan Plans Almaty – Yining mid-2Q25 Launch |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/250421-fsmay25yin |access-date=21 April 2025 |work=AeroRoutes |date=21 April 2025 |language=en-CA}}{{cite news |last1=Liu |first1=Jim |title=FlyArystan Adds Seasonal Bahrain Service From June 2025 |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/250602-fsjun25bah |access-date=3 June 2025 |work=AeroRoutes |date=2 June 2025 |language=en-CA}}
Fleet
File:FlyArystan_in_Kokshetau_Airport.jpg aircraft on stands at Kokshetau International Airport]]
=Current fleet=
FlyArystan operates a standardised fleet of Airbus A320 family aircraft. FlyArystan's A320neos have a 188 seat layout to maximise seat capacity in line with LCC principles.{{Cite web|url=https://centreforaviation.com/news/flyarystan-presents-first-aircraft-897961|title=FlyArystan presents first aircraft | CAPA|website=centreforaviation.com}}
{{As of|2025|5}}, the fleet of FlyArystan consists of the following aircraft:{{Cite web |title=FlyArystan Fleet Details |url=https://www.airfleets.net/flottecie/FlyArystan.htm |access-date=7 September 2023 |website=airfleets.net}}
| class="wikitable" style="border-collapse:collapse;text-align:center; margin: 1em auto;"
|+FlyArystan fleet ! style="background:#003560; color:white; width:150px;"|Aircraft ! style="background:#003560; color:white; width:50px;" |{{nowrap|In service}} ! style="background:#003560; color:white; width:50px;" |Orders ! style="background:#003560; color:white; width:50px;" |Seats ! class="unsortable" style="background:#003560; color:white; width:150px;" |Notes |
| Airbus A320-200
|15 |— |180 |{{nowrap|Eight aircraft were transferred from Air Astana}}. |
| Airbus A320neo
|12 |188 |New deliveries from Airbus. |
| Total
!24 !1 ! colspan="2" | |
|---|
=Fleet development=
FlyArystan placed a letter of intent at the Dubai Airshow 2019 for 30 Boeing 737 MAX 8s{{Cite web|url=https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2019-11-19-Boeing-Air-Astana-Announce-Intent-To-Buy-30-737-MAX-Airplanes|title=Boeing, Air Astana Announce Intent To Buy 30 737 MAX Airplanes - Nov 19, 2019|website=MediaRoom}} which has not been turned into an actual order yet.
In December 2022, it was reported that FlyArystan planned to grow its fleet to 19 planes by the end of 2023.{{cn|date=June 2024}}
Milestones
In 2022, self-service passenger terminals called iJan were installed at Almaty International Airport for the first time. These allow passengers to self-check-in for flights, check in baggage, and buy additional services, avoiding queues and saving time. Similar self-service terminals are now installed in 14 cities across Kazakhstan where the airline operates.{{Cite web |title=News for Airlines, Airports and the Aviation Industry {{!}} CAPA |url=https://centreforaviation.com/news/flyarystan-launches-self-service-check-in-at-nur-sultan-nazarbayev-airport-1168688 |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=centreforaviation.com}}
In 2023, the airline introduced a new baggage drop-off technology (BagJan) at Almaty International Airport, ensuring a faster and more convenient self-service process.{{Cite web |title=dknews.kz |url=https://dknews.kz/en/articles-in-english/327448-flyarystan-launches-an-innovative-baggage-drop-off |access-date=4 October 2024 |website=dknews.kz|date=22 May 2024 }}
Corporate social responsibility
In 2023, the airline supported the families of those who died in a devastating fire in the Abay region by offering free flights to the relatives of the deceased and the firefighters involved in disaster relief, as well as for transporting humanitarian aid. The previous summer, the airline contributed to the reforestation efforts in the Abay region following the catastrophe. The company purchased and delivered 570 packs or 280 liters of peat substrate for growing plants at the state forest nature reserve "Semey Ormany." This supply of peat substrate was used for 1,325,000 seedlings with a closed root system, intended for spring planting in 2024, covering a total area of 315.5 hectares.{{Cite web |title=FlyArystan on LinkedIn: #flyarystan #ecoproject |url=https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7182977326693924865 |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=www.linkedin.com |language=en}}
In 2023, FlyArystan officially launched the corporate social responsibility project "Komek", aimed at supporting socially vulnerable groups by providing discounts on commercial flights.{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{official website|https://flyarystan.com/en}}
{{Airlines of Kazakhstan|state=collapsed}}
Category:Airlines of Kazakhstan