LONDON, UK: Air Astana Group, the premier airline conglomerate in Central Asia and the Caucasus, has announced a strategic partnership with Neos SpA, Italy’s second-largest carrier and a member of the Alpitour group.
This collaboration is set to enhance connectivity and service between the two regions, marking a significant step in international travel and cooperation.
The memorandum of understanding signed by the parties outlines a comprehensive codeshare agreement, enabling Air Astana to assign its marketing code to flights operated by Neos between Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) and Almaty (ALA), and vice versa. This agreement promises to streamline travel for passengers, offering a seamless flying experience across the two airlines.
Looking ahead to 2025, the partnership will extend to a service collaboration involving Boeing 787-900 aircraft. Air Astana Group is poised to receive three of these state-of-the-art jets, and the alliance will allow for the sharing of technical knowledge and operational insights, leveraging Neos’ existing experience with the aircraft to ensure a smooth introduction into Air Astana’s service.
Furthermore, the alliance is exploring the potential for a joint venture on routes between Italy and Kazakhstan, subject to the approval of regulatory, anti-trust, and governmental authorities. This venture could open new avenues for travel and business between the two nations, fostering greater cultural and economic exchange.
Peter Foster, CEO of Air Astana Group, said: “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.”
This strategic partnership stands as a testament to the evolving landscape of global aviation, where collaboration and shared expertise pave the way for enhanced services and expanded horizons for travelers worldwide.
