Air Astana Becomes Central Asia’s First Airline to Gain IATA Sustainable Procurement Certification

Image generated with Ai

Air Astana becomes Central Asia’s first airline with IATA sustainable procurement certification, strengthening ESG standards, supplier accountability and responsible aviation practices across Kazakhstan and the wider region

Air Astana has secured IATA Sustainable Procurement certification, creating a major sustainability milestone for Kazakhstan and Central Asia. The airline becomes the first in Central Asia and the CIS to achieve the certification and, according to its announcement, the third airline worldwide. The move matters because procurement reaches far beyond buying products. It shapes supplier standards, ESG controls, accountability and long-term resilience. Meanwhile, travel and tourism depend heavily on airlines and their extensive supply chains. Therefore, Air Astana’s new certification could influence how responsible sourcing develops across the region. As international connectivity expands, stronger sustainability practices could become increasingly important for travel, tourism and aviation.

Air Astana has reached a significant sustainability milestone after securing Sustainable Procurement certification under the International Air Transport Association’s Integrated Sustainability Program (IATA ISP). The achievement makes the Kazakhstan-based airline the first carrier in Central Asia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) to receive the certification and, according to the airline, only the third airline globally to achieve it.

Air Astana earns IATA sustainable procurement certification, strengthening its ESG leadership. The milestone makes Air Astana Central Asia and the CIS’s first airline to gain the certification. The certification brings ESG principles into sourcing, supplier reviews, governance and procurement. The move could strengthen responsible supply chains supporting travel and tourism across the region. Air Astana is positioning sustainability as a core part of future aviation and tourism growth.

The certification adds another layer to Air Astana’s sustainability strategy as the aviation industry faces growing pressure to reduce environmental impacts, improve supply-chain transparency and strengthen environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices.

What does the IATA certification mean for Air Astana?

The IATA ISP Sustainable Procurement certification is designed specifically for aviation organisations seeking to integrate sustainability into purchasing and supplier-management decisions. IATA says the programme covers areas including tendering, purchasing, contracting, supplier assessments and long-term procurement management.

For Air Astana, the certification recognises a structured procurement approach in which ESG considerations are incorporated into sourcing decisions. Supplier evaluation, governance procedures and continuous improvement are also central to the airline’s framework.

The IATA ISP registry currently lists Air Astana as an ISP Procurement member under the airline category, with certification extending to August 2028.

Why is sustainable procurement becoming important in aviation?

Airlines rely on extensive global supply chains covering aircraft parts, engineering services, technology, ground equipment, catering, cargo operations and passenger services. As a result, procurement decisions can influence environmental performance, social responsibility and operational resilience well beyond an airline’s direct operations.

IATA’s Sustainable Procurement programme provides aviation organisations with tools to identify ESG risks, assess suppliers and develop responsible sourcing strategies. The programme is aligned with internationally recognised sustainability principles and introduces aviation-specific sustainable procurement standards.

This has implications beyond aviation. Tourism increasingly depends on airlines, airports, hotels, suppliers and destination businesses operating with stronger sustainability standards. More accountable procurement can therefore contribute indirectly to a more resilient travel and tourism ecosystem.

How is Air Astana strengthening supplier accountability?

Air Astana’s approach is supported by its Sustainability & ESG Procurement Policy Statement and Supplier Code of Conduct. These documents establish expectations for responsible engagement with suppliers and provide a framework for integrating ESG principles into commercial relationships.

The airline has also developed a digital procurement platform designed to improve access, transparency and efficiency for suppliers. Its 2025 annual reporting states that Air Astana participated in the IATA Sustainable Procurement module and contributed regional experience to the development of the standards.

That regional contribution is significant because Central Asian aviation operates across diverse markets, regulatory environments and supply chains. A procurement framework adapted to those realities can help strengthen consistency while supporting long-term business resilience.

What does the move mean for travel and tourism?

For travellers, sustainable procurement is less visible than changes such as newer aircraft, sustainable aviation fuel or waste reduction. However, it can influence the wider systems supporting air travel, from supplier standards to equipment, services and operational purchasing.

Air Astana is simultaneously expanding its international network, strengthening connections between Kazakhstan, Europe, Asia, India and other markets. Its 2026 results show continued international expansion, including additional services to China, India, Europe and Central Asia.

As connectivity grows, sustainability becomes increasingly relevant to the travel and tourism industries. Airlines are not only transport providers; they are critical links connecting destinations, tourism economies, businesses and communities.

What happens next for Air Astana?

The certification is best viewed as part of a longer sustainability programme rather than a standalone achievement. Air Astana has also updated its Low-Carbon Development Programme and revised its net-zero ambition to 2050, aligning with the global aviation industry’s long-term direction.

The airline has recognised supplier progress through its annual Air Astana ESG Awards, launched in 2024. The initiative highlights partners demonstrating strong ESG practices and encourages greater collaboration and knowledge-sharing across the supply chain.

For tourism and travel stakeholders, the development illustrates how sustainability is moving deeper into airline business processes. As procurement becomes more transparent and ESG-focused, airlines such as Air Astana can influence suppliers while building stronger operational foundations for future growth.

Ultimately, the IATA certification gives Air Astana a recognised framework for responsible procurement. It also places Kazakhstan and the wider Central Asian aviation market more prominently in the global conversation about sustainable travel, tourism and aviation.

Air Astana’s IATA Sustainable Procurement certification marks an important step for Central Asian aviation. It places responsible procurement closer to the centre of the airline’s sustainability strategy. The certification also strengthens supplier accountability and ESG integration across its purchasing processes. At the same time, Air Astana’s growing international network gives the initiative wider relevance for travel and tourism. Sustainable procurement may not always be visible to passengers, but it can influence the systems supporting their journeys. Therefore, the achievement represents more than an industry award. It demonstrates how aviation sustainability is increasingly moving into everyday business decisions, supplier relationships, governance and long-term operational planning.