Silk Avia (US, Samarkand) is to acquire another five ATR72-600s after signing a heads of agreement (HOA) with ATR - Avions de Transport Régional (ATR) in Paris on November 23. Three of the aircraft will come directly from ATR while the remaining two will come from an unspecified lessor. Silk Avia has already procured three used aircraft of the type ahead of its anticipated launch in March 2023.
The state-owned Uzbekistan Airport Company (UAC) is behind the country's newest scheduled passenger carrier. The airport operator is keen to boost airline activity in the country and bring some competition to a domestic market served by just two airlines.
"We are excited to be soon launching our operations with an all-ATR fleet. As a new low-cost airline, we undertook an extensive review of which aircraft would provide the best solution. Our selection of the ATR 72-600 is the perfect choice for us," said Rano Dzhuraeva, UAC chairwoman, said.
Earlier this month, ch-aviation reported that Silk Air had secured a USD50 million loan from the National Bank of Uzbekistan to assist with the purchase of its first planes. However, none of the initial three ATRs have arrived in Uzbekistan yet. Two are still in service with Bangkok Airways (PG, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi) while the third is undergoing maintenance at Bangkok Don Mueang.
Meanwhile, Uzbekistan media report that Silk Avia is planning flights to ten destinations in Uzbekistan next year, including restoring scheduled passenger services to Shakhrisabz, Sariasiya, and Zaamin airports.
