Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Uzbekistan Helicopters received a 100% stake in the authorized capital of Silk Avia.

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a resolution “On additional measures for the effective organization of aviation activities” on the transfer to Uzbekistan Helicopters of 100% of Uzbekistan Airports’ share in the authorized capital of the regional airline Silk Avia.

At the same time, Uzbekistan Helicopters will retain the Silk Avia brand.

At the same time, three ATR 72-600 aircraft, which belong to Uzbekistan Airports and on which Silk Avia operates, are transferred free of charge to Silk Avia.

The airline will increase the number of ATR 72-600 aircraft as part of its development strategy.

Uzbekistan Helicopters is entrusted with the task of expanding the geography of regional flights and increasing their number, as well as developing the aircraft fleet.

Silk Avia was established by Uzbekistan Airports in November 2021. It is the country’s first regional airline. The airline began operating its first scheduled flights on 25 April 2023.

In August of this year, it became known about the dismissal of the head of Uzbekistan Airports, Rano Juraeva, after 2.5 years of work. When creating Silk Avia, she stated that the airline, “on its feet,” would be transferred to the private sector.

Uzbekistan Helicopters was created on the basis of the Airline of Special Aviation Works enterprise during the reorganization by decree of the President of the National Airline Uzbekistan Airways and the opening of separate companies Uzbekistan Airways and Uzbekistan Airports instead. The company has a fleet of helicopters as well as small aircraft, including the recently purchased Czech LET L-410.