Air Astana Group has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Italian carrier Neos to enter a strategic partnership to include codesharing between Milan Malpensa and Almaty, as well as service collaboration on Boeing aircraft.
On Monday (April 15, 2024), Air Astana announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Neos Air for the formation of a strategic partnership. The agreement includes codesharing between Milan Malpensa (MXP) and Almaty (ALA), as well as service collaboration on Boeing aircraft starting in 2025, when Air Astana takes delivery of three Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. Where permitted, the carriers will share technical and operational insights gained by Neos, which operates the type, facilitating the Boeing 787-9’s entry into service with Air Astana. The parties will also evaluate the formation of a joint venture for routes between Italy and Kazakhstan, subject to regulatory approvals.
In Monday’s announcement, Air Astana Group’s CEO, Peter Foster,
“We are delighted to enter a strategic partnership with Neos and look forward to exploring initiatives together so we can better serve our mutual customers. This agreement will provide Air Astana passengers with more flexibility, convenience and choice of flights between Kazakhstan and Italy. The first interline agreement was signed by Air Astana in 2005 and since then, the Group has steadily grown ties with other international carriers in Asia and Europe as we endeavour to offer our customers even more choices for travelling around the world.”
Neos Air is an Italian carrier founded in 2001 with the mission to provide high quality service both in the air and on land. Once receiving their Air Carrier certificate from The National Civil Aviation Body (ENAC) on March 7, 2002, their first Boeing 737-800 ‘City of Milan’ departed Milan-Malpensa for Senegal (Dakar and Cap Skirring) the following day. Neos started regular flights in October 2002, as the only carrier certified to fly the Italy-Cape Verde route, followed by routes to the Canary islands in 2003. By the summer of 2004, Neos Air began serving numerous Mediterranean holiday destinations. The airline began long-haul flights December 2004 and the routes are currently served by Neos’ six Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. Neos Air's fleet also includes five Boeing 737-800s and five Boeing 737-8 MAX jets. The carrier currently operates scheduled service to over 50 destinations.
Founded in late 2001, Kazakhstan-based Air Astana operates a modern fleet of 50 aircraft, including Airbus A320neos, A321s, A321neos, and A321neo LRs, as well as Boeing 767-300ERs and Embraer E190-E2s. The carrier will also take delivery of three Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners in 2025. Air Astana serves over 40 domestic and international routes and employs over 6,000 team members. In May 2019, the company launched FlyArystan, the region’s first truly low-cost carrier.
Source(s): Air Astana, Neos Air