Air Astana (Almaty) remains profitable for the first half of 2012, reporting a smaller net profit of $4.95 million.

The company issued the following report:

“Kazakhstan’s Air Astana saw its revenues grow by 13% to $394 million, matched by a similar increase in passenger numbers, although net profit declined to $4.95 million. Capacity grew by 11% with the addition of an additional Boeing 757-200 and three additional Embraer 190s. Its fleet size now stands at 26 after the retirement of three of its six Fokker 50s, with the remainder due for retirement by January 2013 to be replaced by two additional ERJ 190s.

New routes were launched from Astana to Omsk in Southeast Russia, from Astana to Tashkent and Baku, from Astana to Chymkent and Aktau in southern and western Kazakhstan, and from Almaty to Kazan in southern Russia. Planned new routes for the second half include Almaty to Hong Kong, Almaty to Ho Chi Minh City and Atyrau to Moscow. Flights from Astana to Beijing will be added to its existing Almaty to Beijing services. The airline will take delivery of 4 new Airbus A320s and 2 new A321s from November 2012 to May 2013, and recently placed an order for four new Boeing 767-300s and three Boeing 787-8s, to be delivered from November 2013 through 2017.”

Copyright Photo: Rob Skinkis. The new Astana-Beijing route starting on August 25 will be operated with Boeing 757-200s. The pictured 757-2G5 P4-EAS (msn 29488) is seen arriving at London (Heathrow).

Air Astana: