Uzbekistan Havo Yollari (Uzbekistan Airways), Uzbekistan’s national carrier, has received its first Airbus A320 from ten planes ordered directly from Airbus as part of the carrier’s strategic fleet modernisation programme. Pilots of the company ferried aircraft from Hamburg (Germany).
The government officials, Uzbekistan Airways management, and Airbus representatives participated at the welcoming ceremony in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. In particular, Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan and head of Complex on the issues of Construction sector, Industry, Construction material, Housing and Municipal services and Transport Batir Khodjayev.
The aircraft has been configured in a spacious two class cabin layout seating 150 passengers, 12 in business and 138 in economy. The eco-efficient A320 is powered by CFM-56 engines from CFM International and will benefit from the latest aircraft design and technological improvements contributing to lower fuel burn and emissions.
Deputy Prime Minister Batir Khodjayev underlined that Uzbekistan Havo Yollari will receive five more aircrafts in 2010. He underlined that the company will receive one Airbus A320 almost each month. Last four aircrafts will arrive in Uzbekistan in 2011.
New A320 aircraft of Uzbekistan Havo Yollari will make its first commercial flight on 19 July from Tashkent to Baku. Currently, the company uses RJ-85 airplanes to carry out flights within this route.
Medium-range A320 aircraft manufactured by Airbus will entirely replace outdated Tu-154 and An-24 aircraft on domestic and regional routes. The Tu-154 and An-24 aircraft operation terminates on 31 December 2010.
Airbus A320 airplane consumes twice as less fuel than Tu-154 of the same passenger capacity (2.2 tonne/hour versus 5.5 tonne/hour). This aircraft weighs less and this factor is very important for the aircraft operators. Its avionics is wonderful, and triple backup of all the systems makes this aircraft reliable and safe.
The A320-200 business class zones offer wide and soft leather seats with control units and recline capability up to 7.5 inches. The seats are provided with the adjustable lumbar to keep the optimal position of the spine. Those in need to use their laptops during the flight will be able to connect them to the power supply devices built into the seats. Both the business and economic zones are equipped with the system for in-flight TV broadcasting.
Uzbekistan Havo Yollari and Airbus have long-time relations. The Uzbek airline received the first long-range A310 aircraft on 16 June 1993. This event marked the beginning of the replacement of ex-Soviet aircraft for efficient, reliable and comfortable Western-made airliners. With these aircrafts national airline gained its status as international carrier.
During the next five years, Uzbekistan Airways national airline received two more A310 airliners. Now almost every international flight is made by A310, Boeing-757/767 and RJ-85 aircraft, as well as by domestic Ilyushin 11-144-100.
“Uzbekistan Airways managed to prove how efficient the operation of a modern and young fleet can be. The airline will continue to expand and renew its fleet by means of the most advanced aircraft,’ said the Uzbek airline’s General Director Valeriy Tyan.
“Airbus is happy to welcome Uzbekistan Airways as a new A320 operator in the region. With this delivery, the airline will be well positioned to continue its expansion plans, while operating the most modern and efficient single-aisle aircraft available today,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “Passengers will benefit from the most comfortable and spacious cabin, significant increases in overhead stowage capacity, noticeable noise reduction and modern In-Flight Entertainment.”
Uzbekistan Airways National Air Company (NAC) was founded on 28 January 1992. The airline is currently operating scheduled flights to more than 40 cities of the world, including America, Europe, Middle East, South East, Central Asia and CIS. In recognition of its performance, the airline has already received the International Fund for Aviation Safety Diploma and a Certificate from Airports International Association and “Euromarket-2000″. The airline’s current Airbus fleet comprises three A310s and two A300-600F.
According to the latest Airbus Global Market Forecast (GMF) CIS airlines will need more than 1,400 passenger aircraft valued $123 billion over the next 20 years to meet traffic growth and aircraft replacement. Passenger traffic in the region is expected to increase by 5.7% per year on average over the next 20 years, compared to the world average of 4.7%. Today, 14 airlines in CIS operate over 180 Airbus aircraft, with over 80 jets to be delivered in the near future.
The A320 Family (A318, A319, A320 and A321) is recognized as the benchmark single-aisle aircraft family. With over 6,500 aircraft sold, and more than 4,300 aircraft delivered to some 310 customers and operators worldwide, the A320 Family is the world’s best-selling single-aisle aircraft family. With 99.7% reliability and extended servicing periods, the A320 Family has the lowest operating costs of any single aisle aircraft. Uniquely, the A320 Family offers a containerized cargo system, which is compatible with the worldwide standard wide-body system.
Uzbekistan Airways becomes the newest Airbus A320 operator