FlyArystan Celebrates Carrying Its 8 Millionth Passenger

Low-cost Kazakh airline FlyArystan has celebrated the milestone of reaching eight million passengers carried since it launched operations over three years ago. The airline’s eight-millionth passenger was a three-year-old boy flying with his parents from Kazakhstan to Georgia.

FlyArystan reaches eight million passengers

Since launching its first flight in May 2019, FlyArystan has now served over eight million passengers. The Air Astana subsidiary reached the milestone following a flight from Astana to Kutaisi, Georgia. Interestingly, the lucky passenger was a three-year-old boy, Marat Akhmediyar, accompanied by his parents.

Marat’s parent said,

“We’re traveling to Kutaisi, the wellness resort Sairme. Our little son has become the 8th-million passenger of FlyArystan. We’re very happy. Our vacation has begun with a surprise. We are grateful for interesting and unique flight. We wish FlyArystan more flights and happy customers. Good luck in reaching new heights!”

Photo: FlyArystan

Having undergone rapid growth in the past 12 months, including more than doubling its fleet size, FlyArystan carried 2.7 million of that eight million in just 10 months over 2022.

Georgian presence

The ancient city of Kutaisi is the sole Georgian destination in FlyArystan’s network but is connected to four Kazakh airports – Aktau, Atyrau, Nur-Sultan and Shymkent. The carrier was granted the “Georgia’s Tourism” award for serving the highest number of passengers from Kazakhstan to Georgia over 2021.

FlyArystan offers discounts on sports equipment for its Kutaisi flights, given the city’s proximity Georgia’s mountain attractions. Additionally, the carrier offers special discounts on accommodation at nearby health and wellness resorts, including Bakuriani, Sairme, Borjomi and Tskaltubo.

FlyArystan said,

“The airline is happy that the anniversary passenger flew on our flight to Georgia, as it has become one of the most popular international flights since May 2021. In less than 2 years, Kazakhstan’s Low-Fare Airline has carried more than 200 thousand passengers from/to Kutaisi.”

In terms of annual passenger count, Kutaisi International Airport is lagging behind Georgia’s main airport – Tblisi Airport – but is growing rapidly. The modern airport enjoyed record-high figures in August with 111,556 travellers served and 450 flights, up 27% and 64% from 2019, respectively.

Fleet additions in the coming year

FlyArystan welcomed its second Airbus A320neo in September and the first of an order for seven brand-new A320neos – Simple Flying got the chance to take a cabin tour inside FlyArystan’s brand-new Airbus A320neo last month. The airline’s fleet currently stands at 12 Airbus A320 aircraft – 10 Airbus A320-200s and two Airbus A320neos, with the first A320neo arriving in September 2021.

Photo: FlyArystan

By December 2023, FlyArystan expects to be operating with a fleet of 19 Airbus A320s. As the airline inducts more aircraft, it plans to expand its network, although it isn’t known where the Kazakh carrier has its eye on yet.

Have you flown with FlyArystan before? Which destinations do you think the airline should consider expanding to? Let us know in the comments.