Statement re BAE Systems disposal

Summary by AI BETAClose X

Air Astana JSC has announced that BAE Systems plans to sell a portion of its holding in the company through an accelerated bookbuild process, which will increase Air Astana's free float. BAE Systems, a founding partner, reduced its stake to 16.95% during the 2024 IPO and will remain a supportive shareholder. This news follows Air Astana's recent announcement of its two largest aircraft orders and its strong financial performance for the first nine months of 2025, with total revenue up 10.1% to USD1096.8m and EBITDAR up 3.5% to USD262.2m, representing a 23.9% margin.

Disclaimer*

Air Astana JSC
16 December 2025
 

16 December 2025

 

Air Astana: Statement regarding BAE Systems disposal

 

Air Astana JSC (the "Company" and, together with its subsidiary FlyArystan, the "Group") notes the announcement that BAE Systems plans to sell part of its holding in the Group by way of an accelerated bookbuild process. We would refer to the public disclosures for further details of the transaction.

BAE Systems has been a key partner of Air Astana since our inception. The Group was formed as a joint venture between the Republic of Kazakhstan and BAE Systems in 2001. BAE Systems reduced its holding to 16.95% as part of the 2024 IPO and has remained a supportive shareholder and Board member since. We recognise that Air Astana was no longer a core holding in the context of BAE Systems' wider operations and we look forward to welcoming new shareholders to the Group at this exciting point in our development. We also note the increase to our free float as a function of the sale.

Air Astana recently announced its two largest aircraft orders in the Group's history reflecting the confidence we have in the growth outlook of our region.

In November, Air Astana reported results for the first 9 months of 2025 which showed a resilient performance with strong revenue and capacity growth. Total Revenue increased 10.1% to USD1096.8m and EBITDAR increased 3.5% to USD262.2m (23.9% margin). Details of the results can be found via the below link:

https://ir.airastana.com/media/8de20e9da89e5d4/air-astana-q3-results_eng.pdf

 

For further information:

Investor Relations: investor.relations@airastana.com

Media: airastana@vigoconsulting.com

 

About the Air Astana Group:

Air Astana Group is the largest airline group in Central Asia and the Caucasus regions by revenue and fleet size. The Group operates a fleet of 62 aircraft split between Air Astana, its full-service airline that operated its inaugural flight in 2002, and FlyArystan, its low-cost airline established in 2019. The Group provides scheduled, point-to-point and transit, short-haul and long-haul air travel and cargo on domestic, regional and international routes across Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Far East, the Gulf, India and Europe. Air Astana has been recognised by SkyTrax as the Best Airline in Central Asia & CIS fourteen years running and received the Best Airline Staff Service in Central Asia & CIS award nine times in a row. FlyArystan has been recognised as the Best Low-Cost Carrier (LCC) in Central Asia & CIS at the SkyTrax awards three times. Additionally, Air Astana was awarded a five-star rating in the major airline category by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX). The Group is listed on the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange, Astana International Exchange and London Stock Exchange (ticker symbol: AIRA).

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