Fleet Modernization - Uzbekistan Airways takes first Let L-410UVP-E20 Turbolet / OK-JNL

Uzbekistan Airways (HY, Tashkent International) has taken delivery of the first of two firm-ordered Let 410UVP-E20s.

OK-JNL (msn 3410) was ferried from Uherske Hradiste via Burgas, Samsun Carsamba, and Dashogus to Tashkent International over the course of July 13-14, 2023. It has yet to be re-registered as UK41002 and deployed into revenue service, which is expected shortly. The airline expects the second Let Kunovice turboprop by the end of the year. It also holds options for another two of the type.

Uzbekistan Airways plans to deploy the Let 410s on domestic services to currently unserved points with ultra-short runways, including Andizhan and Zarafshan among others.

The aircraft will be the only regional turboprops in the state-owned carrier's fleet, which otherwise comprises A320ceo and A320neo Family narrowbodies, B767-300ERs (including freighter B767-300(ERBCF)s), and B787-8s.
Ch Aviation

Photo:  Varjat

Tashkent Yuzhny - UTTT, Uzbekistan

 

NEW AIRLINE - New airline of Uzbekistan Centrum Air - First B737-800 / LY-DUE

 Centrum Air is a low cost carrier based in Uzbekistan. The carrier received its first aircraft at Tashkent Islam Karimov International Airport on 18-Jan-2023. The airline operations on 15-Feb-2023 with Tashkent-Fergana service.

Centrum Air took delivery of two Airbus A320-232s, which arrived from Europe. Earlier in received two Boeing 737 aircraft. A third A320 is expected to arrive later this week. The company plans to expand the end of the year and has ambitions to operate 100 aircraft by the end of 2026.

Centrum Air plans to launch international routes between Uzbekistan and 15 countries, including Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE, India, and South Korea. Domestic routes will include flights from Tashkent to five Uzbek cities: Nukus, Urgench, Termez, Namangan and Fergana. The company is also seeking to secure additional foreign investment as part of a broader revitalisation of Uzbekistan’s civil aviation sector. In November, Centrum Air’s sister company, the logistics specialist MyFreighter, took delivery of a Boeing 747-200F. MyFreighter is the first Uzbek company to operate the freight variant of Boeing’s iconic “jumbo jet.”

Asian aviation

Photo: Rustam Mannanov