Article from BTNews 6 MAY 2019
FlyArystan takes a bow
Europe’s latest carrier to claim to offer low fares with high quality has taken to the skies for its first revenue flights. Based at Almaty International Airport, FlyArystan is a subsidiary of award-winning Kazakh flag carrier Air Astana.
The airline, which went from announcement to revenue realisation within six months, has begun with six domestic routes with journey times lasting from 1hr to 3hr and is supported by a 160-strong workforce.
The line-up includes 25 pilots and 45 flight attendants, many seconded from Air Astana, plus new recruits who in addition to undertaking call-centre reservations work are being trained to assist in ambassador roles at check-in.
Air Astana has supplied two Airbus A320s in FlyArystan livery from its fleet under its Air Operator’s Certificate. Another two will follow later this year, when the new carrier is expected to be operating at least 12 routes and obtaining an AOC in its own right.
The aircraft have been newly retrofitted with 180 new Recaro slimline seats in blue leather with a 29in pitch, which FlyArystan head Tim Jordan said would help the carrier in its quest to “court a new generation of passengers”, including business travellers.
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