Air Astana becomes first in Central Asia and CIS to achieve IATA’s Sustainable Procurement certification

Air Astana has become the first airline in Central Asia and the Commonwealth of Independent States to win IATA’s Sustainable Procurement certification, a move that the Kazakhstan-based carrier says reflects the growing importance of environmental, social and governance standards in aviation supply chains.

According to the International Air Transport Association, the certification is designed to bring sustainability into every stage of procurement, including tendering, purchas...

ing, contracting, supplier assessment and long-term management. It sits within IATA’s Integrated Sustainability Programme, a broader framework that also covers environmental management, social responsibility and sustainability performance.

For Air Astana, the award signals more than a compliance exercise. Procurement choices can shape how airlines manage supplier accountability, reduce risk and strengthen resilience across complex networks that cover aircraft parts, engineering, ground handling, catering, cargo and passenger services. IATA says the programme is intended to help aviation organisations assess ESG risks and embed sustainability throughout the supply chain.

The airline says its approach is supported by a Sustainability & ESG Procurement Policy Statement and a Supplier Code of Conduct, alongside a digital procurement platform aimed at improving transparency and efficiency. Its annual reporting for 2025 also said it had taken part in IATA’s sustainable procurement module and contributed regional experience to the development of the standards.

The certification comes as airlines face increasing pressure to show progress on sustainability across their operations as well as in their sourcing practices. Air Astana has also updated its low-carbon development programme and revised its net-zero target to 2050, while recognising supplier progress through ESG awards launched last year. For a carrier expanding across Europe, Asia, India and Central Asia, the latest milestone gives Kazakhstan’s aviation sector a more prominent place in the industry’s sustainability debate.

Source: Noah Wire Services