Air Astana Group, the largest airline group in Central Asia and the Caucasus regions by revenue and fleet size, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Neos SpA (“Neos”), the second Italian airline and part of the Alpitour group (together, “the Parties”), to enter a strategic partnership.

The strategic partnership will encompass several areas of cooperation, including:

• A codeshare agreement under which Air Astana will apply a marketing code to Neos-operated flights between Milan Malpensa (MXP) and Almaty (ALA) and vice versa.

• Service collaboration on Boeing aircraft from 2025 when Air Astana Group will receive delivery of three Boeing 787-900. Where permitted, the Parties will share technical and operation insights gained during existing operations by Neos and entrance into service by Air Astana.

• The Parties will consider and evaluate the formation of a joint-venture for route(s) between Italy and Kazakhstan, where regulatory, anti-trust and governmental authority permits.

Peter Foster, CEO of Air Astana Group, said: “We are delighted to enter a strategic partnership with Neos and look forward to exploring initiatives together so we can better serve our mutual customers. This agreement will provide Air Astana passengers with more flexibility, convenience and choice of flights between Kazakhstan and Italy. The first interline agreement was signed by Air Astana in 2005 and since then, the Group has steadily grown ties with other international carriers in Asia and Europe as we endeavour to offer our customers even more choices for travelling around the world.”