Former Wizz Air executive joins Kazakh low-cost carrier FlyArystan as president

Johan Eidhagen will assume the role of the President of FlyArystan — a low-cost carrier subsidiary of Kazakhstan’s flag carrier Air Astana — on March 1, 2026, Air Astana Group said in a statement. He will replace Richard Ledger, who will stay in the group but in a different area.  

Ledger will be appointed as the Vice President of Partnerships and Alliances. He will lead efforts to expand the group’s global presence through the agreements with other airlines, including the recently signed codeshare agreements with Air India and China Southern Airlines.

Johan Eidhagen: Who he is

Eidhagen is an experienced senior executive from the low-cost airline industry. Until recently, he served as Managing Director of Wizz Air in Abu Dhabi. At the same air carrier, Eidhagen worked as the Chief Marketing Officer and Chief People and ESG Officer. Before joining the aviation industry, he had been with Nokia for about 15 years.

Company statement

Peter Foster, Air Astana’s current CEO, said Eidhagen’s experience would help the low-cost carrier better implement growth potential and introduce technological innovations.

«With several years in senior roles at Wizz Air, leading the People, ESG and Marketing initiatives, Johan has the experience and low-cost airline background to ensure we capitalize on the high growth potential of FlyArystan,» Foster commented.

In the spring, the group will see other management changes: in March, Gonçalo Pires will assume the role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Air Astana and in April, Ibrahim Canliel will assume the position of CEO.