According to the news released by the Ministry of Transport on October 29 on gov.kz, the equipment was installed by the airline’s own technical personnel at its technical base.
When will Air Astana’s in-flight Wi-Fi become available?
According to the Ministry, the first aircraft equipped with the system was an Airbus A321LR with registration EI-KGB. On October 29, it operated the Almaty—Tashkent route, becoming the first flight to offer in-flight connectivity. The project is supported by the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development and the Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan.
When can passengers use it free of charge?
According to the Ministry, the promotional period runs through January 31, 2027, during which all passengers can access the internet free of charge. Starting February 1, 2027, business-class passengers and Nomad Club members with Gold and Diamond Cards will have free internet access, while Nomad Club members of all tiers can use the onboard instant messaging app free of charge. Other passengers may purchase paid internet packages.
When will the other aircraft be equipped?
According to the Ministry, installation work across the A321LR fleet will be carried out in phases throughout 2027. It should be noted that the news release did not disclose the total size of the fleet or the specific date on which each aircraft would be equipped.
Frequently Asked Questions
### Who provides the in-flight Wi-Fi?
According to the Ministry, the project is being carried out in partnership with SES, an international satellite communications provider, and the equipment was installed by the airline’s own technical personnel.
Rules related to this news
### Which was the first flight with in-flight connectivity?
According to the Ministry, it was the October 29 Almaty—Tashkent flight, with aircraft registration EI-KGB.
### Until when will internet access be free during the promotional period?
According to the Ministry, all passengers can access the internet free of charge until January 31, 2027.
### Does this story have anything to do with China?
The report did not mention any Chinese companies, and no conclusions are drawn here.
Further Reading
- More industry and policy updates: Kazakhstan Investment and Project News Section
- Aviation: Air Astana and China Southern Sign a Joint Venture Agreement
- Route updates: FlyArystan Astana—Yining Direct Flights
- Establishing a project company in Kazakhstan: Kazakhstan Company Registration Services
Sources
- Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan (gov.kz), October 29: https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/transport/press/news/details/1320070?lang=ru
Illustration: AI-generated, not a real photograph.