Uzbekistan’s emerging airline, Air Samarkand, has expanded its operational capacity as it prepares to introduce its third aircraft, a narrow-body Airbus A321, into service. The airline, which launched earlier this year, continues to grow its fleet and enhance its services to meet increasing demand.

Earlier this week, the newly refurbished aircraft, registered as UK-32120, returned to its home base at Samarkand International Airport after undergoing extensive maintenance and cabin upgrades in Sharjah, UAE. The plane has been certified as airworthy by the Civil Aviation Agency of Uzbekistan, receiving a Certificate of Airworthiness (No. CA-236), ensuring its compliance with both international and national safety standards.

The 10-year-old Airbus A321, equipped with IAE V2533-A5 engines, can carry 12 passengers in business class and 182 in economy. The aircraft, originally acquired in November 2023, joins Air Samarkand’s growing fleet, which includes an Airbus A321neo and a wide-body Airbus A330-300.

With this addition, Air Samarkand is set to increase its flight frequency. Starting on September 14, the airline will operate three weekly flights between Samarkand and Istanbul, with plans to further expand its services on this key route.

Since launching regular operations in March, Air Samarkand has steadily expanded its destinations, offering flights to popular tourist locations such as Sharm El Sheikh (Egypt) and Nha Trang (Vietnam). In July, the airline began servicing Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) from multiple Uzbek cities, including Samarkand, Namangan, and Fergana, catering to pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia.