Market Intelligence: -Airline Aircraft Orders

Kazakhstan’s Air Astana Group Orders 25 Airbus A320neo Family Aircraft

Kazakhstan – Air Astana Group, the leading airline group in Central Asia and the Caucasus by revenue and fleet size, has placed a firm order for 25 Airbus A320neo Family aircraft, marking its largest ever direct aircraft order and reinforcing long-term fleet expansion across both its full-service and low-cost operations.

  • The order includes five A320neo and 20 A321neo aircraft.

  • The agreement coincides with the 20th anniversary of Air Astana operating its first A320 in 2006.

  • The new aircraft will be deployed across Air Astana and its low-cost subsidiary FlyArystan as part of a broader fleet renewal and expansion strategy.

  • The group currently operates 59 Airbus A320 Family aircraft.

Statements

  • “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. The Airbus A320neo Family has proven to be an outstanding success in service with Air Astana over many years. In particular, the A321LR in its premium configuration allows us to offer what we believe is the world’s best narrow-body long-haul product, combining true long-range capability with an exceptional onboard experience. I’m confident that the new fleet will continue to boost sustainable growth and profitability in the long term.” – Peter Foster, CEO of Air Astana

  • “This order further validates the unmatched economics and market appeal of the A320neo Family in one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets. We are pleased to support Air Astana’s vision to connect Kazakhstan to the world. This deal solidifies a decades-long bond, ensuring they continue to set the regional gold standard for fleet modernisation, operational excellence and passenger experience.” – Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales

About Air Astana Group
Air Astana Group is Kazakhstan’s leading airline group, operating both the full-service Air Astana brand and low-cost carrier FlyArystan. The group operates a fleet of 59 Airbus A320 Family aircraft and continues to expand its narrowbody network across Central Asia, Europe and Asia.

Source: Airbus
Photo Credit: Airbus

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UAE Carrier Scales Aircraft Deliveries, Cadet Program and Full-Flight Simulator Capacity in 2025

United Arab Emirates – flydubai, the Dubai-based narrowbody carrier operating a fleet of 97 Boeing 737 aircraft, reported strong 2025 financial and operational performance while accelerating fleet expansion and significantly scaling its in-house pilot training and maintenance infrastructure.

  • Reported profit before tax of AED 2.2 billion (USD 591 million) for the financial year ending 31 December 2025.

  • Full-year revenue increased 6% to AED 13.6 billion (USD 3.7 billion).

Fleet and Aircraft Strategy

  • Took delivery of 12 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft in 2025, expanding total fleet size to 97 aircraft with an average age of 5.5 years.

  • Retired three Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft and completed retrofits on eight additional NG aircraft, bringing the total retrofitted fleet to 25 aircraft.

  • Announced major Dubai Airshow orders for 150 Airbus A321neo and 75 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, diversifying its narrowbody fleet strategy.

  • Expects delivery of 12 aircraft in 2026:

    • Seven Boeing 737 MAX 9.

    • Five Boeing 737 MAX 8.

  • The Boeing 737 MAX continues to deliver approximately 14% greater fuel efficiency compared to predecessor models.

Training and Workforce Development

  • Workforce increased 11% to 6,763 employees, reflecting continued recruitment across operational functions.

  • Launched an Ab Initio Pilot Training Programme and an Aircraft Maintenance and Engineering Apprenticeship as part of its long-term internal talent pipeline strategy.

  • Expanded its Flight Training Centre, now equipped with four full-flight simulators, increasing internal scheduling flexibility and creating potential third-party training capacity.

Statements

  • “We are also significantly expanding our training portfolio, including our Cadet Programmes for pilots, engineers and dispatchers, to build a strong pipeline of talent that will support our long-term growth.” – Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai

  • “Our Flight Training centre, now equipped with four full-flight simulators, [gives] us greater control and flexibility over training schedules for our pilots, and potentially other airlines in the future.” – Ghaith Al Ghaith

Source: flydubai
Photo Credit: flydubai

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Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways Hired around 400 Pilots in 2025

United Arab Emirates – Abu Dhabi based Etihad Airways has reported its strongest financial and operational performance in the airline’s history for the full year 2025, driven by sustained network expansion, fleet growth, and robust passenger demand.

  • Etihad’s performance has supported ongoing investment in talent and capability building. In 2025 the airline welcomed more than 3,200 new joiners, including around 400 pilots to support fleet growth and network expansion, reinforcing pilot hiring and training pipelines.
  • The airline’s operating fleet expanded to 127 aircraft, the largest in its history, following the addition of 29 aircraft in 2025.
  • Promotions and talent development continued, with nearly 150 pilot promotions and a strong focus on sustainability of the Emirati national talent pipeline through cadet and leadership programmes.
  • Etihad posted a record profit after tax of AED 2.6 billion (US $698 million) in 2025, up 47 per cent year-on-year, marking its most profitable year on record.
  • Revenue increased 21 per cent to AED 30.7 billion (US $8.4 billion), supported by broad growth in both passenger and cargo operations.
  • Passenger numbers rose 21 per cent to 22.4 million, reflecting strong global demand and expanded connectivity across Etihad’s network.
  • Available seat kilometres (ASK) increased to 111.5 billion, with load factor improving to 88.3 per cent, underscoring efficient capacity deployment.
  • Cash flow from operations approached AED 8 billion (US $2 billion), enabling the airline to fully fund capital expenditure while deleveraging its balance sheet.

Source: Etihad Airways

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