Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Uzbekistan Airways received the first A321LR passenger aircraft, becoming the launch operator of the latest generation Airbus liner with an extended flight range (LR - Long Range) in Uzbekistan. 

The aircraft will be operated under a license agreement with CDB Aviation. In total, the airline ordered 5 Airbus aircraft: four more aircraft will be delivered before the end of 2022. This was reported by the press service of Airbus.

The aircraft is made in a two-class layout and is designed for 188 passengers. The airline plans to operate the A321LR on domestic and international routes.

“Uzbekistan Airways is a historical partner of Airbus. Mutually beneficial cooperation between the two companies began in 1993, when Uzbekistan Airways was the first in the region to start operating the A310 and entered a new era with a modern Western-made fleet. We are pleased to support the airline’s continued development with the latest A320neo - A321LR family aircraft, which will allow it to expand its presence in Central Asia,” said Kimon Sitiropuolus, Airbus Vice President Europe and Central Asia.

“We look forward to developing an even closer partnership with Airbus in 2022 and will continue to upgrade our fleet with the long haul version of the A321neo. Our comfort-class aircraft equipped with LEAP engines will fly to 22 cities in Europe, America, the Middle East, Asia and 24 cities of the CIS, as well as be operated on 11 domestic routes,” said Ilkhom Makhkamov, Chairman of the Board of Uzbekistan Airways.

“We are delighted to welcome Uzbekistan Airways as a customer of CDB Aviation and contribute to the renewal of their fleet,” said Paul Boyle, Head of CDB Aviation EMEA Region. “The A321neo is a highly efficient aircraft with significant operational and environmental benefits.”

The A321LR is an extended range version of the A320neo, allowing flights up to 7400 km thanks to three additional central tanks (ACT) to store more fuel. Compared to previous generation aircraft, the model’s fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and operating costs per seat are reduced by 30%.

The A320 is the world’s most popular family of narrow-body aircraft. Due to its high level of performance and comfort, it is preferred by both low-cost carriers and airlines that have chosen new business models. The A320 family of aircraft (A319, A320 and A321) can accommodate between 120 and 244 passengers, allowing operators to choose the right size aircraft for market requirements, from low and high density routes to long distance low density routes. With the widest cross-section of any narrow-body airliner, the A320 family can carry containerized cargo (optional), providing unique flexibility for operators to choose between containerized and bulk cargo. To date, over 10,000 A320 family aircraft have been delivered to more than 300 customers worldwide.