Air Astana has begun installing high-speed satellite Wi-Fi on its Airbus A321LR aircraft, marking the first operational use of the service on a flight between Almaty and Tashkent on 29 October.
The project is being delivered with satellite communications provider SES, with the equipment installation taking place at Air Astana’s own technical facility. The airline said the first equipped aircraft operated its first flight with internet access on the route, although the announcement did not specify how many aircraft are included in the initial installation programme.
Regulatory framework supports deployment
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development and Ministry of Transport are supporting the project. The government said work during the past year had focused on creating the regulatory conditions needed to introduce satellite internet connectivity on aircraft.
That work included addressing requirements for the use of non-geostationary satellite systems in aviation with international partners, satellite operators and other relevant organisations. The deployment on Air Astana’s A321LR is being presented as the practical implementation of that framework rather than as a further proposal or trial.
“Over the past year, significant work has been undertaken to establish the regulatory framework for introducing satellite internet connectivity on aircraft. Together with international partners, satellite operators and relevant organisations, we have addressed the requirements for using non-geostationary satellite systems in aviation.” — Zhaslan Madiyev, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Air Astana chief executive Ibrahim Canliel said the service would allow passengers to remain connected during flights, while the decision to carry out the installation through the airline’s own technical specialists would support the development of its in-house engineering capability.
Access terms set out for the introduction period
Internet access will be available to all passengers without charge during the introductory period, which runs until 31 January 2027. From 1 February 2027, complimentary access will be available to Business Class passengers and Nomad Club members with Gold and Diamond status.
| Deployment detail | Information announced |
|---|---|
| Aircraft | Airbus A321LR |
| Connectivity partner | SES |
| First flight with access | Almaty–Tashkent, 29 October |
| Free access for all passengers | Until 31 January 2027 |
| Access from 1 February 2027 | Business Class and Nomad Club Gold and Diamond members |
- The equipment is being installed at Air Astana’s own technical facility.
- The programme follows regulatory work covering non-geostationary satellite systems in aviation.
- The first connected aircraft has operated on the Almaty–Tashkent route.
Canliel said Air Astana would continue expanding access to internet connectivity for passengers travelling by air, while Kazakhstan’s digital-development minister also referred to wider plans to extend connectivity across transport modes. The announcement did not provide a timetable for fitting the remaining A321LR aircraft or detail the commercial terms for passengers outside the groups receiving complimentary access from February.
