OREANDA-NEWS. On December 22, 2008 Uzbekistan's national carrier, Uzbekistan Airways, signed a firm contract for the purchase of four A320 aircraft as part of the modernisation of its medium range fleet. In addition to six A320s already acquired by the airline in June 2007, this order will further enlarge the airline's A320 orders up to ten aircraft, reported the Official website www.investuzbekistan.uz.

Uzbekistan Airways' A320s will feature the all-new cabin, which provides more passenger comfort in a modern and brighter environment. The aircraft will be operated on the airline's extended network of international and domestic destinations.

Uzbekistan Airways currently operates three A310s on the routes to Europe and East Asia.

"We are pleased that Uzbekistan Airways, one of the leading carriers in CIS, has one more time confirmed its confidence in the A320 Family, by increasing its orders portfolio with Airbus. This best selling single-aisle aircraft, which benefits from the most advanced technology and highest cost effectiveness, will undoubtedly contribute to the airline’s further growth," said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers.

Uzbekistan Airways was founded 1992, starting out on international routes to London, Frankfort, Delhi, Karachi, Kuala-Lumpur, Tel-Aviv and Beijing. In recognition of its performance, the airline has already received the International Fund for Aviation Safety Diploma and a Certificate from Airports International Association and "Euromarket-2000". Uzbekistan Airways operates regular flights to more than forty cities around the world such as America, Europe, Middle East, Southeast, Central Asia and the CIS and plans to increase the number of destinations in the coming years.

The A320 Family, which includes the A318, A319, A320 and A321, is recognised as the benchmark single-aisle aircraft family. Each aircraft features fly-by-wire controls and all share a unique cockpit and operational commonality across the range. With proven reliability and extended servicing periods, the A320 Family has the lowest operating costs of any single aisle aircraft. Uniquely, the A320 Family offers a containerised cargo system, which is compatible with the worldwide standard wide-body system.

Around 6,300 Airbus A320 Family aircraft have been sold and more than 3,600 delivered to more than 280 customers and operators worldwide, making it the worlds best selling commercial jetliner ever. Twelve carriers in the entire region currently operate some 120 Airbus aircraft with over 160 aircraft still to be delivered in the near future.