Uzbekistan airline Silk Avia has taken delivery of its first new ATR 72-600 via regional aircraft lessor Nordic Aviation Capital.
This aircraft is the first in a total of five contracted ATR 72-600 aircraft scheduled for delivery. Two will be provided by NAC and three by ATR. The acquisition agreement was signed in November 2022.
The ATR 72-600 aircraft was initially delivered to NAC by ATR in December 2023. The arrival of this turboprop aircraft marks the first new ATR ever delivered to Central Asia, a milestone which signals the beginning of a new era of regional connectivity for the region.
Silk Avia – now a part of Uzbekistan Airways – will integrate this new aircraft into its existing ATR fleet, enhancing its ability to serve a wider range of destinations in the region.
Shukhrat Khudaykulov, Chairman of the Board of Uzbekistan Airways, said that the airline has “set an ambitious goal to become a leader in air transportation on domestic routes in the country.”
“Moreover, our common goal, the goal of New Uzbekistan, is to make flights affordable and develop domestic tourism of the country. It will undoubtedly be achieved through flights on ATR brand turboprop aircraft,” he added.
Silk Avia was established in July 2021 and has a fleet that consists entirely of ATR 72-600 aircraft.
Alexis Vidal, ATR’s SVP Commercial, said: “We warmly welcome Silk Avia to the ATR family. Their selection of the ATR 72-600 marks an important step as we begin operations in the promising market of Uzbekistan and wider Central Asia. Silk Avia will play a pioneering role in demonstrating the huge benefits affordable and low-emission regional aviation can deliver to this dynamic region.”
Image credit: Silk Avia
