Air Astana Group has announced that Chief Executive Officer Peter Foster is due to retire at the end of March 2026 after two decades at the helm of the Central Asian carrier. He will be succeeded by the airline’s current Chief Financial Officer, Ibrahim Canliel.
Foster’s tenure has seen Air Astana, which launched in 2002, become Central Asia and the Caucasus’ largest airline group by revenue and fleet size, which now totals 61 aircraft, including its low-fare carrier, FlyArystan.
The airline has earned repeated awards, including being named the Best Airline in Central Asia & CIS by SkyTrax for 14 consecutive years.
“The Board of Directors would like to thank Peter Foster for his outstanding achievement in guiding the company for 20 years, from its post start-up phase to its position today as Kazakhstan and Central Asia’s leading airline,” said Nurlan Zhakupov, Chairman of the Board of Directors. He praised Foster for establishing Air Astana as a “respected airline brand throughout the global aviation industry.”
Foster will be retained as a Senior Advisor to the Board of Directors following his retirement.
The incoming CEO, Ibrahim Canliel, joined the company in 2003, holding various senior commercial roles before moving into the position of Chief Financial Officer in 2017.
“Mr Canliel has worked for the Air Astana Group since 2003. His contribution has been immense and he brings with him great experience of both the Group and of the airline industry,” said Zhakupov. “The Board has the fullest confidence that he will guide the company to continued growth and success.”
The Air Astana Group provides both short-haul and long-haul air travel across domestic, regional, and international routes spanning Central Asia, the Far East, the Gulf, India, and Europe.
The Group is currently listed on the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange, Astana International Exchange, and the London Stock Exchange.
Peter Foster is to retire after two decades at the helm of Air Astana
