Air Astana is to become one of the largest A320neo family operators in central Asia and CIS over the next three years. The airline became the first operator of this type in the region in 2016 and the fleet will grow to 17 aircraft by 2020.

With Kazakhstan seeking to build its global profile with the hosting of Expo 2017, national flag-carrier Air Astana is taking its chance in the spotlight. Here Breaking Travel News examines the growing airline and asks if a bright future may be just around the corner.

Air Astana has cancelled the planned launch of flights connecting the capitals of Kazakhstan and Mongolia due to the revocation of permission by the Civil Aviation Authority of Mongolia. The carrier had been due to launch direct Astana-Ulaanbaatar flights from June 2nd, 2016. The intergovernmental Air Services Agreement between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Republic of Mongolia was signed in 1992 and the memorandum of understanding establishing the number of flights to be operated was signed in 2014.

Air Astana has officially been removed from a list of airlines that have faced operating restrictions in the European Union. In July 2009 all carriers of Kazakhstan were banned from operating to Europe while Air Astana was the only exception. The EU’s Air Safety Committee had recognised that Air Astana’s safety standards were fully compliant with the international standards and establish a system for safe flights, but had imposed a cap on the airline’s existing number of services to the EU at the time.

Air Astana, the national carrier of Kazakhstan, has launched MyUpgrade, an innovative online tool that enables existing economy class customers to bid for an upgrade to Business Class before their flight. The tool gives passengers the chance to name their own price, within a minimum and maximum range, to be considered for an upgrade to the premium cabin.

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.