"I have 25 years’ experience and if I look to the US I can tell you we are currently seeing the final phase before strong consolidation," says to Lufthansa Group's chairman and chief executive Carsten Spohr.

As the future of Boeing’s 737 Max 8s continue to hang in the balance, airlines around the world are counting the cost of the ongoing dilemma.

Nur-Sultan, the capital of Kazakhstan, is benefitting from a wave of inward investment and infrastructure development as it seeks to enhance its international standing and exploit its tourism potential. Improving its air connectivity is central to its ambitious growth plan.