:: Airports of Kyrgyzstan

The state-owned Airports of Kyrgyzstan Holding signed an agreement with BBAM Aircraft Leasing & Management to purchase two Airbus A321ceo passenger jets for its subsidiary, Asman Airlines.

These aircraft will be the first medium-haul planes in the Kyrgyz carrier’s fleet. Currently, the airline operates three 80-seat De Havilland Dash 8-400 regional turboprops on domestic routes and seasonal flights to neighboring countries. A fourth such aircraft is expected to arrive later this year.

Asman Airlines could become the first operator of the A321 in Kyrgyzstan. At present, local carriers Avia Traffic and Aero Nomad fly the smaller Airbus A320ceo jets.

Airports of Kyrgyzstan announced plans to purchase a total of 10 Airbus A321s for Asman Airlines over the next five years. The holding company noted that the new narrowbodies will allow the carrier to significantly expand its route network and enter the international aviation market. Asman Airlines intends to launch flights to CIS countries, the Middle East, and Europe.

The latter will become possible once the European Union lifts its flight ban on Kyrgyz airlines. In early March, the Civil Aviation Agency of Kyrgyzstan reported that it is preparing for an assessment mission from the European Commission, which is part of the authorities’ efforts to remove the country from the EU “blacklist.”