BAKU, Azerbaijan, Apr. 20
By Klavdiya Romakayeva - Trend:
Uzbekistan plans to introduce charter flights to popular destinations and new routes for cargo transportation, Trend reports with reference to the press service of president of Uzbekistan.
On April 19, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev got acquainted with a presentation on measures to transform Uzbekistan Airways and Uzbekistan Airports joint-stock companies during which it was noted that the main emphasis in the transformation of domestic airlines is currently on increasing efficiency.
Thus, it is expected to reduce the costs of Uzbekistan Airways by $46.5 million by optimizing the staff of the company and its structural organizations, decommissioning of 12 unused aircraft, and reducing the commission of foreign agents for the sale of air tickets.
Also, the goal is to increase revenues by $40 million per year by introducing charter flights to popular destinations and cargo transportation on new routes, the possibility of online check-in and seat selection on all domestic flights.
In addition, it is planned to switch to a hybrid service model, according to which part of the flights will be carried out on the principle of full service, and some on the principle of low-cost airline. Business class will be canceled on destinations that are not in high demand.
Starting from the third quarter of this year, it is planned to establish low-cost flights on 4 Airbus A-320 aircraft. Also, it is planned to lease 3 Airbus А321 NEO LR airliners, to increase the number of domestic flights from the current 17 to 49 per week in order to develop long-haul routes.
In order to improve the convenience of passengers, it is planned to digitize the industry, including the introduction of the Aerolabs online service system and a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) complex for managing customer relations.
Also, a number of measures have been developed to improve the efficiency of the Uzbekistan Airports Joint Stock Company. It is noted that today the company includes 11 airports - each of the airports operate independently.
According to the presentation on measures to transform Uzbekistan airways and Uzbekistan airports joint-stock companies, these airports are proposed to be united under the management of a single governing body.
In order to increase financial stability, based on international experience, it is planned to reduce costs from 32 to 15 percent, optimize purchases, reduce airport tax by 27 percent, including up to 50 percent within the framework of pilgrimage tourism.
Furthermore, particular attention will be paid to the issue of increasing income. In particular, it is planned to increase revenue from trade and services by building a cargo terminal at the Tashkent international airport, increasing transit between Europe and East Asia, expanding the area of the airport terminal.
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