Uzbekistan Airways - History

History

Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Uzbek President Islam Karimov in 1992 authorised the creation of Uzbekistan Airways. The carrier was established on 28 January 1992, and took over the operations of the Uzbekistan division of Aeroflot on 31 May 1992. The airline's maiden flight was from Tashkent to London.

Domestic flights used Russian-built aircraft that formerly belonged to Aeroflot. When international routes became top priority, Airbus planes were leased, starting in 1993. The international fleet now uses a mixture of Boeing and Airbus airplanes.

Uzbekistan Airways serves almost 50 domestic and international destinations, from Tashkent International Airport. The airline owns 11 airports, five of which have international status.

Uzbekistan Airways Technics provides technical services for Il-76, Il-62, An-2 and Yak-42 aircraft, and aircraft engines Аn-25, Тa-6А and Тa-8, also A, B, C, D and IL checks on the Boeing 767, Boeing 757, Airbus 310, Airbus 320 and RJ-85.

The carrier is not part of any partnerships or alliances, but negotiations are under way to join SkyTeam, according to reports from the Uzbek government; however, no official announcement has been made so far either by the airline or the alliance. Uzbekistan Airways' candidacy is being sponsored by Korean Air.