Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- This morning, on 28 March, the second plane of the regional national airline Silk Avia landed at Tashkent International Airport.

According to tradition, the aircraft was solemnly greeted with a water arch, the crew with flowers to the sounds of karnay and surnay. The second ATR 72-600 on the platform of the capital’s airport was met by representatives of Uzbekistan Airports, Silk Avia, journalists, bloggers and airspotters.

Considering the maximum altitude (7600 m) and range (1500 km) of the flight from Bangkok to Tashkent, the board flew with six stops - in Singapore, India, Oman, Egypt, Cyprus and Azerbaijan.

It is worth noting that the ATR 72-600 is one of the world’s most popular short-haul aircraft with a capacity of 70 passengers. A safe and economical low-cost aircraft, consuming four times less fuel than the A320, will offer passengers reliability and comfort at an affordable price.

In addition to the official ceremony, today Uzbekistan Airports decided to hold an open day for the children of employees. Many of the kids were on the platform for the first time, saw the takeoffs and landings of aircraft live, climbed into a real plane and even looked into the cockpit.

“The airport and airline staff told the children about one of the world’s most popular short haul aircraft, the ATR 72-600. How the plane rises into the air, how many passengers can fit in it, why does it need "propellers" and "wheels", why does it have to fly around the mountains and how long to fly to Samarkand - these are just a small part of the questions that the children asked today during the excursion. It is noteworthy that these are the first aircraft of this type in domestic aviation, and they are of interest not only to children, but also to adults. In the near future, we plan to hold several more such excursions for children interested in aviation,” the press service of Uzbekistan Airports said.

The creation of the first low-cost regional airline Silk Avia is envisaged by the Presidential resolution “On Additional Measures for the Development of Local Air Services in the Republic” from 26 October 2022. At the first stage, the airline’s route network will include the most popular destinations: from Tashkent to Samarkand, Bukhara and Urgench, as well as the cities of the Ferghana Valley.

Ticket prices start from 180,000 soums. With the replenishment of the fleet, the route network will expand. In November last year, Silk Avia and the French-Italian concern ATR signed an agreement on the purchase of five new ATR 72-600 aircraft, which will arrive in Tashkent in 2024.