Air Astana takes delivery of first A321 directly ordered from Airbus

Air Astana, Kazakhstan’s flag carrier, has taken delivery of its first A321 out of a total of six A320 Family aircraft ordered from Airbus in May 2008. The aircraft will join Air Astana’s fleet, which already includes 10 A320 Family aircraft, operated on the airline’s domestic and international network. The airline’s A321, powered by IAE V2500 engines, features a two class cabin layout, seating 28 passengers in business class and 151 in economy. Air Astana started commercial service with its first Airbus aircraft, an A320, in 2006, and is currently operating one A319, seven A320s and two A321s.