Uzbekistan Airways is the national airline of Uzbekistan and the largest airline in Central Asia. It was established in 1992 as a joint venture between the Uzbek government and the Russian airline Aeroflot. The airline is headquartered in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, and operates flights to more than 50 destinations in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
The airline began with a fleet of Soviet-era Antonov An-24 and Tupolev Tu-154 aircraft. During the early years, the airline was focused on providing air transport to and from Uzbekistan and the former Soviet Union. In the late 1990s, Uzbekistan Airways began expanding its fleet and routes to destinations around the world.
The airline has experienced many milestones since its inception. One of the most significant occurred in 2001 when the airline launched its first international flight, to Istanbul, Turkey. This marked the beginning of Uzbekistan Airways' expansion into the international market.
In 2004, the airline launched its first long-haul service to the United States, with flights to New York City. This eventually led to the launch of flights to other major U.S. cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Chicago.
In 2009, the airline launched its first codeshare agreement with Air France. This agreement allowed passengers to book flights on Air France using Uzbekistan Airways flight numbers. This was a significant milestone for the airline, as it marked their first foray into the global airline alliance network.
In 2010, the airline launched its first loyalty program, the Ufly Rewards Program. This program allows passengers to earn points for flights and redeem them for rewards such as free flights and upgrades.
In 2016, the airline launched its first online booking system, allowing customers to book flights directly from the airline’s website. This was a major milestone for the airline, as it marked the first time customers were able to book flights online.
Over the years, Uzbekistan Airways has experienced some turbulence. In 2003, an Antonov An-24 aircraft operated by the airline crashed in the Fergana Valley, killing 37 people. This was the airline's first fatal accident and it led to an investigation by the Uzbek government. The investigation found that the crash was caused by a combination of factors, including pilot error and poor maintenance.
In 2009, the airline was also involved in a federal investigation over its alleged involvement in human trafficking. This investigation was eventually dropped due to lack of sufficient evidence.
Despite these setbacks, Uzbekistan Airways continues to grow and evolve. The airline now operates a fleet of modern aircraft, including Boeing 767, Airbus A320 and A330, and Airbus A340 aircraft. The airline also continues to expand its network of destinations around the world. In 2018, the airline launched its first flight to South Korea, marking another milestone in the airline's history.
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