Baku, Azerbaijan, March 7
By Fikret Dolukhanov – Trend:
Uzbekistan Airways plans to cease commercial operation of the Il-1140-100 turboprop aircrafts, Uzbek media reported on March 7 citing ATO.ru aviation portal.
According to the information, the aircrafts will be replaced by the BC Airbus A320ceo/neo planes. The company didn’t comment on the topic.
A source in the Uzbek civil aviation sphere told the agency that the national air carrier will offer Il-114-100 planes for rent.
Uzbekistan Airways currently have six Il planes manufactured in 2006-2012. The aircrafts were purchased by the company in 2008—2013. The planes can transit up to 52 passengers.
The source in the Uzbek civil aviation added that the Uzbekistan Airways currently have three Il planes in operation, with the three others being under maintenance or in storage. The operational and service personnel will be ultimately retrained. Cease of operation of the old planes may happen during the next month or two.
He noted that the volume of the turboprop aircrafts is insufficient and asked not to link the operation cease with technical issues.
“Surely, we have some problems in the aftersale service of the planes. The cooperation with the Russian Ilyushin Aviation Complex could be better. But all in all the issues were always being solved,” he added.
The source said that the Uzbekistan Airways plans to purchase the Embraer business jets for charters flights.
