Airbus A330 - Welcome to Uzbekistan

On April 21, 2023, a solemn meeting of the first of two Airbus A330 aircraft, which Uzbekistan Airways plans to use for commercial operation in 2023-2024, took place at the Tashkent International Airport named after Islam Karimov.

Airbus A330 is a long-haul aircraft. The salon is designed for 266 passengers, of which 18 seats are in business class and 248 in economy. Flight range - up to 12,000 km. The length of the aircraft is 58.37 m. The wingspan is 60.3 m.

The airliner at the capital's airport was traditionally greeted with a water arch, under the sounds of karnai-surnai (national Uzbek musical instruments), and beautiful national dances. The solemn ceremony was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Transport, management and employees of Uzbekistan Airways JSC, media representatives and airspotters.

In pursuance of the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On measures to transform and support civil aviation enterprises" and the tasks set in the "road map", Uzbekistan Airways JSC has done significant work, which has made it possible to increase the efficiency of flights, expand the geography of flights and significantly increase the number of passengers, just in 2022, carried passengers number exceeded 4 million. To accomplish these tasks, in 2022 the aircraft fleet was replenished with five Airbus A321Neo aircraft. An agreement was signed for the purchase of four new Airbus A320Neo by the end of 2023 and twelve aircraft by 2029.

The airline's route network is gradually being restored, flights to Paris, Milan, Beijing, Tokyo have been restored. On April 26, flights to Jakarta will be carried. The frequency of flights to New York, Frankfurt, Tel Aviv, London, Riga, Tbilisi, Almaty and other cities has been increased. Flights to Bangkok are scheduled to begin in June.

To implement the ambitious plans of Uzbekistan Airways, as part of the concept of expanding aircraft fleet and fulfilling the tasks of increasing the route network, it was decided to lease two aircraft of the Airbus A330 family. The corresponding agreement was signed between Uzbekistan Airways JSC and Heston Airlines. The aircraft meet all safety requirements and will operate medium and long-haul flights.

For information: Heston Airlines is an airline specializing in charter flights and aircraft rental around the world. The head office is located in Vilnius (Lithuania). The company is part of the Heston Aviation Group, the main activity of which is the leasing, maintenance and repair of aviation equipment.

At the initial stage, Uzbekistan Airways plans to operate this aircraft on the Tashkent - Istanbul, Tashkent - Dubai and Tashkent - Jeddah routes.

The first commercial flight is planned to be operated on April 23, 2023 on the Tashkent-Istanbul-Tashkent direction.

The second Airbus A330 aircraft is scheduled for delivery to Uzbekistan on May 3, 2023.