ETW Staff- Mumbai
Air Astana has selected air transport communications and IT specialist, SITA, to provide messaging for operations, communications with partners and advanced datalink for air traffic control. The deal comes as Kazakhstan’s flag carrier prepares for future growth, following a 13.5 per cent traffic increase in 2013.
In recent years, Air Astana has expanded rapidly across the CIS and Central Asian regions, becoming the travel provider of choice for many passengers flying to and from the region. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Kazakhstan’s international passenger traffic is growing at nine per cent annually.
Chamindra Lenawa, vice president IT and eBusiness, Air Astana, said, “As Air Astana continues its growth, it is important that we have the right infrastructure in place. We use SITA because it offers excellent service quality and global coverage. Most importantly, because SITA is owned and operated by the air transport industry, the SITA team understands and responds to our needs very well.”
Dmitry Krasnov, vice president, Russia and CIS, SITA, said, “We are delighted to help support Air Astana’s expansion in this rapidly growing region. In addition, we are committed to ensuring that both Air Astana and the region have the IT and communications services they need, including developing our VHF and satellite communications network for cockpit datalink applications.”
