BAE Systems sells larger stake in Air Astana than planned

:: BAE Systems

On December 17, the British defense group BAE Systems announced the sale of a 10.1% stake in Kazakhstan’s national carrier, Air Astana, for a total of US$52 million. The sale process was initiated just a day prior, but the investor had initially planned to divest only 8% of its 16.95% shareholding.

Following this transaction, BAE Systems’ stake in Kazakhstan’s largest airline has been reduced to 6.9%. The British defense giant co-founded Air Astana alongside the Government of Kazakhstan in 2005. The firm began scaling back its involvement in 2024, as the airline is no longer considered a core asset within its broader corporate portfolio.

Kazakhstan’s sovereign wealth fund, Samruk-Kazyna, remains the largest shareholder in Air Astana with a 41% stake.

CentralAsia+ Aero earlier reported: British shareholder to sell half of its remaining shares in Air Astana.