Azerbaijan, Baku, April 9 / Trend E. Kosolapova/
Kazakh national carrier Air Astana launched step-by-step process of decommissioning of Fokker-50 aircrafts in its fleet, Kazinform reported with reference to the company.
"The company has completed exploitation of one of the six aircrafts of this type. The short-haul aircrafts Fokker-50 will be completely replaced by jet aircrafts of the new generation Embraer-190 by the summer of 2013," the company said.
According to the company, Embraer-190 aircrafts are more comfortable, economical and efficient, have better design and will open up new opportunities for the development of regional routes. The first two Embraer-190 aircrafts were acquired by the company in 2011. Purchase of these aircrafts meets the company's long-term program on fleet upgrade.
Air Astana is Kazakhstan's largest airline, which is the national carrier of the country. Air Astana is a joint venture of Kazakhstan's National Welfare Fund Samruk-Kazyna (51 percent) and Britain's BAE Systems company (49 percent).