Air Astra looking for A320/321 aircraft; eyes expansion beyond borders

Dhaka: Private airline Air Astra has issued a request for proposals (RFP) to add three to four Airbus A320 or A321 aircraft on dry lease, operating lease, or outright purchase, as it plans to launch international operations. The announcement came through the airline's social media channels on April 17.

According to the details outlined in the RFP, Air Astra expects to receive all aircraft by the end of 2025, each fitted with a single-class, all-economy cabin layout and a pair of CFM International CFM56 engines and aged a maximum of 15 years at the time of delivery. However, if such an opportunity is not met, examples configured with two-class seating or powered by IAE V2500 engines will be considered instead.

The airline encouraged only genuine lessors and airlines to submit proposals via email at fleet@airastra.com by May 31 and explicitly stated it will not accept any ACMI-based leasing companies or brokers, regardless of the mandates they may claim to possess.

The country's newest carrier, Air Astra, currently operates flights to three domestic destinations, Saidpur, Chittagong, and Cox's Bazar, from its base in Dhaka, utilizing a fleet of four ATR 72-600 turboprops. To expand its wings beyond borders, the airline is forming its narrow-body fleet with Airbus A320 family jetliners. Initially, the fleet will be expanded with the A320ceo, the first generation of the A320 family, while future expansions will incorporate its latest iteration, the A320neo.