EBRD finances Air Astana’s technical maintenance centre

The EBRD is supporting the growth programme of Kazakhstan’s national airline carrier, Air Astana, a loan of up to US$ 14 million equivalent in Kazakhstan Tenge.

The loan will finance the construction of the first aircraft maintenance facility in the country, and in the entire Central Asian region, capable of serving large aircraft. The technical maintenance centre will be located in the Astana International Airport which serves the country’s fast-growing capital.

Currently international airlines, including Air Astana, have to go for maintenance of their large aircraft abroad, mainly in the UK and China. The new facility will enable Air Astana (which will also offer access to other airlines) to service those planes in Kazakhstan.

An aircraft hangar, including storage area and administration offices, and a garage for specialised vehicles will be built with EBRD financing.

The new maintenance facility will create new highly skilled jobs. Air Astana is already planning skills transfer for future employees of the facility, using best European practice.

Peter Foster, President&SEO of Air Astana JSC: “Air Astana is very pleased to have signed this agreement with EBRD. During the course of the past few years EBRD has expanded its already substantial presence in Kazakhstan to become one of the country's leading international partners, adhering to the highest standards of international business practices. We see this relationship as a natural fit”.