Joe Breitfeller
Feb 16, 20212 min
Uzbekistan-based startup carrier Qanot Sharq Airlines has signed long-term leases for two used Airbus A320-200s with Air Lease Corporation (ALC). The A320s will be the first aircraft to join the fleet of the new airline.
On Tuesday (February 16, 2021), Air Lease Corporation (ALC) announced the placement of two used Airbus A320-200s with the Uzbekistan-based startup carrier Qanot Sharq Airlines. The carrier has signed long-term leases for the A320s, which will be the first aircraft to join their fleet. The aircraft are scheduled to be delivered to Qanot Sharq Airlines in March 2021. In Tuesday’s announcement, ALC’s Vice President of Marketing, AJ Abedin, said,
“ALC is pleased to announce this lease placement of two A320-200s with Qanot Sharq Airlines. We have worked closely with the Qanot Sharq executive team and are thrilled to participate in the launch of the first Uzbek startup airline through the placement of their first two aircraft.”
Also commenting on the new lease agreement, Qanot Sharq Airlines’ Owner, Nosir Abdugafarov, added,
“We are honored and excited to work with one of the largest aircraft leasing companies in the world to assist with the launch of our airline. These two A320-200s are scheduled to deliver in March and will be the first two aircraft in Qanot Sharq’s fleet, ensuring the highest standard of safety and comfort for our passengers.”
Based in Los Angeles, California, Air Lease Corporation (NYSE: AL) is a leading global aircraft leasing company. The ALC team is principally involved in the purchase of commercial aircraft, and leasing them to airlines worldwide, with customized leasing and financing solutions.
Qanot Sharq Airlines has been established as the first privately owned airline in Uzbekistan. The carrier is led by a highly accomplished group of airline industry professionals with over 200 years of collective experience. The new airline will operate from multiple regional airports in Uzbekistan, providing scheduled service to international destinations including Istanbul and Ankara (Turkey), Dubai (UAE), Jeddah and Medina (Saudi Arabia), Moscow and St. Petersburg (Russia) and Almaty (Kazakhstan).
Source: Air Lease Corporation