Uzbeks take delivery of the first of two 757-200s from Boeing

Published: 9/9/1999

Uzbekistan Airways has taken delivery of the first of its two 757-200s which are to be used for scheduled services, with the second aircraft due to be delivered in 2000. Uzbekistan Airways has configured its new aircraft to carry 184 passengers - 26 in business class and the remainder in the economy section. The airline plans to use the 757-200 fleet for routes connecting Uzbekistan to several cities in Europe, the Middle East and Asia Established in 1992, Uzbekistan Airways has grown to become one of the largest carriers in Central Asia. Uzbekistan Airways' current scheduled-service fleet consists of two 767-300ERs, three A310s, three RJ85s, and an extensive Russian aircraft fleet. The airline also established with Lufthansa in 1998, an extensive servicing facility for Western aircraft adding to its existing facility for Russian types, which undertakes maintenance for airlines from the region and as far a field as Cuba and North Korea. "Because we are already operating the Boeing 767, it makes good business sense to select the 757 to help support our rapidly expanding international system,” said Arslan Ruzmetov, the director general of Uzbekistan Airways. While cost was not mentioned by either party, the estimated price of $65-73 million per aircraft will be financed by Barclays under a 12 year lease backed by guarantees according to reports from Eximbank amounting to $105 million.

Article ID: 850