Astana EXPO 2017 has signed a memorandum of cooperation with Air Astana, Kazakhstan’s flag carrier, to become a partner in the exhibition.

Under the deal the airline will hold the exclusive status of Official Air Carrier of EXPO 2017.

The official signing ceremony was held in Astana earlier, with the signatories being Astana EXPO 2017 chairman, Akhmetzhan Yesimov, and Air Astana president, Peter Foster.

“Air Astana is the largest airline in Kazakhstan, and the memorandum signed today will be the first step in our cooperation.

“With its international reach across Asia, Central Asia, Europe and the Middle East, the airline will be able to promote this major project around the world.

“We have agreed to place the EXPO 2017 logo on all of Air Astana’s aircraft and to develop a joint promotional plan for the exhibition, which will be enormously beneficial to building international awareness,” said Yesimov.

Within the framework of the memorandum of cooperation, there are plans to integrate the airline’s online reservation system onto the event web and also activate a joint PR-campaign.

Additionally all Air Astana transit and arriving in passengers will be offered complimentary tickets to the exhibition in 2017.

“The theme of EXPO 17 will be Future Energy and the event will focus on innovative and practical energy solutions and their global impact.

“The airline industry is a contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, and at Air Astana we continue to take corrective action through the introduction of greener technology,” added Foster.