Air Astana CEO Peter Foster to retire in March 2026

Published 08/10/2025, 07:22
Air Astana CEO Peter Foster to retire in March 2026

ALMATY - Air Astana JSC announced Wednesday that Chief Executive Officer Peter Foster will retire at the end of March 2026 after 20 years leading Kazakhstan’s flagship carrier.

The airline’s Board of Directors said Foster will step down from his CEO position and board seat but will remain connected to the company as a Senior Advisor to the Board of Directors.

Ibrahim Canliel, the company’s current Chief Financial Officer, will succeed Foster as CEO. Canliel has been with Air Astana since 2003, initially in senior commercial roles before becoming CFO in 2017.

Board Chairman Nurlan Zhakupov praised Foster’s leadership, noting his role in developing the company "from its post start-up phase to its position today as Kazakhstan and Central Asia’s leading airline."

Regarding the incoming CEO, Zhakupov expressed confidence in Canliel’s ability to guide the airline’s continued growth, citing his extensive experience with both the company and the broader aviation industry.

Air Astana Group operates a fleet of 61 aircraft across two brands: Air Astana, its full-service airline established in 2002, and FlyArystan, a low-cost carrier launched in 2019. The company provides domestic and international flights throughout Central Asia, the Caucasus, Far East, Gulf region, India and Europe.

The announcement was made in a company press release statement issued by Air Astana’s Board of Directors.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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