Uzbekistan, Tashkent, July 22 / Trend D. Azizov /
Uzbek National Airlines "Uzbekistan Airways" on Wednesday received a regular passenger aircraft IL-114-100 of a new modification, the Uzbek Airlines reported.
It is the fifth aircraft of this type in the airline's fleet, produced by Tashkent Aircraft Production Association named after V. Chkalov, a message said.
It is planned that the liner will make regular flights on local airlines to the CIS countries.
It was reported that modern Russian equipment, new avionics of the U.S Rockwell Collins, Canadian aircraft engines Pratt & Whitney, propellers Hamilton Sundstrand (U.S) and Additional Power Unit Honeywell (U.S) have been installed at all aircraft IL-114-100.
Moreover, the module of the system maintenance has been completed in the fifth IL-114-100 in accordance with the comments and wishes of the pilots.
It takes 20-30 minutes to check the first aircraft IL-114-100 but only five minutes - for new ones. Modules of pilot digital navigation system and information on the fault systems identified during the flight have been improved.
The cabin was greatly changed. One managed to free additional space and reduce takeoff weight of the aircraft by 430 kg in the cabin due to a more compact arrangement of equipment and application of new modifications, which are lighter than previous models. It has a positive impact on increasing the range.
Moreover, the aircraft is equipped with an automatic boarding.
There are 52 passenger seats in the aircraft. The maximal flight range is 1,250 km, cruising speed - 500 km per hour. The aircraft is very economical in consumption of jet fuel. It is especially important in the face of rising prices.
Uzbekistan Airlines began commercial operation of the modified IL-114-100 in September 2008.
"Uzbekistan Airways" will receive two more IL-114-100: one - in late 2010 and the second - in early 2011 in accordance with the plans of its own development under the contract with Tashkent Aircraft Production Association.
It was reported that the airline management decided to withdraw obsolete aircrafts Yak-40 and Tu-154, which are routinely deducted from the airline's fleet, in 2009-2010.
"Uzbekistan Airways" is the exclusive carrier in Uzbekistan. It is wholly owned by the state. Fleet has 18 planes of western production, including 10 Boeing (five 767-300 and five 757-200), three Airbus A-310, three medium-RJ-85 and two cargo A300-600F, as well as 15 Soviet-made aircrafts.
It was reported that "Uzbekistan Airways" is going to buy 16 planes of western production worth $1.136 billion by 2017.
Six aircrafts A-320-200 worth $258.6 million will be received in the second half of 2010, in 2012-2013 - four aircrafts Boeing-767-300ER aircraft worth $347.6 million, in 2013-2014 - four aircrafts A-320-200 worth $190.9 million, in 2016 - two Boeing-787-800 Dreamliner worth $230.4 million.
New equipment for airlines will be financed at Uzbekistan Airways' own funds (10 percent of the cost of all aircrafts), the credit of the Uzbek Fund for Reconstruction and Development (50 percent) and loans from foreign banks (40 percent).
Uzbekistan Airways received two cargo aircrafts A300-600 from the Korean Air in 2009.
Uzbek airline makes flights to 21 countries in Europe, the U.S, Middle East, Asia, 22 cities of CIS countries and 11 areas of local airlines.
"Uzbekistan Airways" transported passengers 8,1 percent less in 2009 compared to 2008 - 1,885 million. The amount of freight on the basis of last year increased by 20.3 percent - up to 26,700 tons.