FLEET - Qanot Sharq takes delivery of its first Airbus A321XLR aircraft

Hamburg, Germany, 19 December 2025 – Qanot Sharq, one of Uzbekistan's leading private passenger airlines, has taken delivery of its first of four A321XLR aircraft via a long-term lease agreement with Air Lease (NYSE: AL).

With this delivery, Qanot Sharq becomes the first A321XLR operator in Central Asia and the CIS, reinforcing the airline's ambition to modernise its fleet and expand its international route network and operate new routes to key markets across Asia, including Sanya and Busan, and New York City (via Budapest), while significantly enhancing Qanot Sharq's connectivity across Asia-Pacific and Europe.

Powered by CFM LEAP-1A engines, the aircraft is configured with 190 seats in a two-class layout featuring 16 full-flat Business Class and 174 Economy Class seats. It offers passengers and cabin crew the enhanced comfort of Airbus’ Airspace Cabin, featuring XL overhead bins with 60% more storage space compared to previous generation aircraft. In addition, in-seat connectivity is available to all passengers while the latest lighting system enhances the overall passenger experience.

The A321XLR is the next evolutionary step of the A320neo Family, responding to market needs for more range and payload, creating even more value for the airlines. It will deliver an unprecedented Xtra Long Range of up to 4,700nm, some 15% more range than the A321LR and 30% lower fuel burn per seat compared with previous generation competitor aircraft, as well as reduced NOx emissions and noise. So far, Airbus has secured more than 500 orders for the type.

As with all Airbus aircraft, the A321XLR aircraft is already able to operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Airbus is targeting to have its aircraft up to 100% SAF capable by 2030.

ROUTES - Qanot Sharq has inaugurated a direct service with twice-weekly frequencies between Tashkent and London Gatwick Airport (LGW)

The flights will increase UK capacity to a Central Asian market that has shown growing demand for LGW.

Photo: Qanot Sharq
 

FLEET - Qanot Sharq Airlines signs leases for A321neos

Air Lease Corporation announced that it has signed an agreement with Qanot Sharq Airlines for the lease of five Airbus A321neos. According to the press-statement from the lessor, the deal is for three A321XLRs and two A321neoLRs. The aircraft will come from ALC's existing orderbook with Airbus and will be delivered in 2026 and 2027.

Qanot Sharq Airlines launched flights in October 2021 and is currently flying to more than 20 destinations from Tashkent and Samarkand. The current fleet is made-up of two A320s, two A321neoLRs, and three A330-200s.

Photo by Prague Airport.

 

ROUTES - QANOT SHARQ 1Q25 RUSSIA SERVICE CHANGES

Uzbekistan’s Qanot Sharq in the first quarter of 2025 is adjusting service to Russia, as the airline scheduled frequency reductions.

Bukhara – Moscow Domodedovo 25JAN25 – 01MAR25 Reduce from 2 to 1 weekly
Ferghana – Moscow Domodedovo 24JAN25 – 28FEB25 Reduce from 2 to 1 weekly

Namangan – Moscow Domodedovo 26JAN25 – 02MAR25 Reduce from 2 to 1 weekly
Namangan – St. Petersburg 21JAN25 – 04MAR25 1 weekly service cancelled
Samarkand – St. Petersburg 21JAN25 – 04MAR25 Reduce from 2 to 1 weekly
Tashkent – Moscow Domodedovo 23JAN25 – 06MAR25 Reduce from 10 to 5 weekly

Image: QANOT 

FLEET / HYBRIDS c/s - Uzbekistan Airways wet-leases two A330s

Uzbekistan Airways (HY, Tashkent International) has wet-leased two A330-200s from local carrier Qanot Sharq (HH, Tashkent International) for one year, meaning the latter has reverted to narrowbody-only in-house operations.

UK-33020 (msn 1237) entered into service for the flag carrier on May 20, operating the Tashkent International-Istanbul Airport-Tashkent rotation. It is configured for up to 265 passengers, including 18 in business class and features a hybrid livery with Uzbekistan Airways branding. The aircraft was last in service with Qanot Sharq on April 25, 2024, used by the privately owned carrier mainly to run leisure and Umrah charters for just over two months.

The other A330, UK-33021 (msn 1260), was delivered to Tashkent in mid-December 2023 but has not been active since then. It has the same cabin layout. Both aircraft are of ex-Air China stock and are just under 13 years of age.

"The decision to add A330 aircraft was made as part of the airline's development strategy and Uzbekistan Airways' plans to expand its flight geography and increase the frequency of existing routes. Our goal is to consistently grow each year to maintain Uzbekistan Airways' status as one of the most reliable and safe carriers on the international stage," the flag carrier's chief executive, Shukhrat Khudaykulov, said.

The state-owned carrier's in-house widebody passenger fleet comprises five B767-300ERs and seven B787-8s. It does not have any outstanding orders for widebody aircraft.

Following the wet lease of the two A330s, one of which was never in revenue service with the airline, Qanot Sharq relies on narrowbody aircraft, operating two A320-200s and two A321-200NX.

CH Aviation
Photo:Daniil Shulimov

UK33020 - Airbus A330-243

ROUTES - Qanot Sharq (Uzbekistan) now plans to operate Urgench – Madrid – Tashkent routing effective 31 August 2024, with A321neo.

 

Qanot Sharq Airlines (Uzbekistan) took delivery of one A321neo, serial 10942

PetroviczH

UK32110 / A321-253NX / Serial #: 10942

 

Qanot Sharq To Take Two Airbus A320s

Uzbekistan is getting a new air carrier called Qanot Sharq Airlines. The carrier has already signed up for two leased Airbus A320 aircraft under contact with Air Lease Corporation. Those two jets are expected to arrive at the airline in March and will become the first planes the airline flies.

Ostrava Leos Janacek Airport - LKMT, Czech Republic
By: Hanys