June 19, 2019 Press release Skytrax World Airline Awards names Air Astana a winner eight years in a row Air Astana, the flag carrier of Kazakhstan, has been recognized for 4 Star service excellence, retaining the accolade of "Best Airline in Central Asia and India" in the Skytrax World Airline Awards for the eighth consecutive year. The prestigious awards ceremony took place at the 53rd edition of the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget on 18 June 2019. The Skytrax World Airline Awards are recognized throughout the world as a valued benchmarking tool that is independent, impartial and global. The survey measures passenger satisfaction among business and leisure travelers, across all cabins (First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy Class and Economy class). Over 21 million air travelers were surveyed about their experiences with airlines on the ground and in the air over a 10-month period. The survey measured passenger satisfaction across a wide range of performance indicators of airline front-line product and service, including check-in, boarding, on-board seat comfort, cabin cleanliness, food, beverages, in-flight entertainment and staff service. The survey covered 300 airlines, from the largest international airlines to smaller domestic carriers. “Skytrax is the Gold Standard for airline service so we are delighted to have yet again won our regional league which covers a vast area of the globe and includes many excellent airlines. I am very grateful to our customers and to my colleagues,” said Peter Foster, President and CEO of Air Astana. Photo caption: (Left) Alexandr Neboga, Vice-President, Ground Services, Air Astana and (centre) Peter Foster, President and CEO, Air Astana with Air Astana team. About Air Astana Air Astana, the national carrier of Kazakhstan, operates flights to over 60 domestic and international routes from hubs in Astana and Almaty. The company commenced operations on 15 May 2002. The Air Astana fleet consists of 35 aircraft including Boeing 767, 757, Airbus A319, A320, A320neo, A321, A321neo, Embraer E-190, E190-E2 aircraft. Air Astana became the first carrier from Russia, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Eastern Europe to be awarded a prestigious 4-Star rating by Skytrax at its World Airline Awards 2012 and was also named ‘The Best Airline in Central Asia and India’ that year. Both achievements were repeated in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. Air Astana named Winner in TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Awards in 2018 and 2019. Air Astana is a joint venture between Kazakhstan’s national wealth fund, Samruk Kazyna, and BAE Systems, with respective shares of 51% and 49%.