Uzbekistan Airways has completed the phase-out of its Antonov An-24 turboprops as part of a fleet renewal plan in preparation for joining SkyTeam.
The carrier last month withdrew its remaining An-24s from domestic service, replacing them with Ilyushin Il-114 turboprops and Airbus A320s.
Since 2004, Uzbekistan Airways has also ceased operating around 30 ageing Il-86s, Il-62s, Tupolev Tu-154s and Yakovlev Yak-40s.
A spokesman for the airline said its passenger fleet now comprises 26 Western-built jets and six Pratt & Whitney PW127-powered Il-114s.
"Fleet modernisation is in line with improving our ground infrastructure, operational standards and other activities aimed at achieving membership in the SkyTeam Alliance," he said.
The carrier is building a new terminal for local services at its Tashkent hub and has finished the construction of an international terminal at Bukhara Airport.
Its technical arm has gained certification to carry out maintenance checks on a range of Western aircraft types, while the personnel division is poised to introduce a full-flight simulator to train cabin crew.
Korean Air is sponsoring Uzbekistan Airways' candidacy for SkyTeam and helping it carry out the alignment process.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news