SmartLynx Airlines, the European ACMI (aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance) operator has paid its first visit to Navoi International Airport (NVI) in Uzbekistan. The carrier, part of the global Avia Solutions Group of companies, made the historic visit on September 17, 2024, using one of its fleet of Airbus A321P2F freighter aircraft.
Navoi International Airport is a modern airport located in the mountainous Navoi region of Uzbekistan. As one of the country’s major international airports, the facility plays an important role in connecting Uzbekistan to the rest of the world. With its strategic location, Navoi International Airport serves as a vital regional land international hub for both passenger and cargo flights.
The plane’s visit was a planned technical stop as part of the aircraft’s routing from Dhaka Airport (DAC) in Bangladesh to Lodz Airport (LCJ) in Poland, with an additional stop made in Varna, Bulgaria. As part of the stopover, the aircraft was refueled and the crew was changed to comply with international air crew duty hours regulations.
Upon arrival at Navoi Airport, the SmartLynx A321F received a welcome from the airport authorities complete with a traditional water salute. The crew was greeted by the airport management who were treated to live music performed by a local traditional band, which “added a festive and cultural touch to their welcome,” according to a SmartLynx statement.
“It was an unexpected and warm reception by the airport authorities,” explained Captain Carlos Marcelo Cardenas Becerra of SmartLynx. “The first flight through the mountainous area of the Hindu Kush was impressive. It was an honor and a privilege to have been in command of the first flight over such a rugged and challenging region.”
“The day was partly cloudy, but among the clouds, you could perfectly appreciate the closeness of the mountains and the imposing landscape. There was tremendous planning and preparation behind the realization and opening of this route. I appreciate the great effort made by the SmartLynx team, as it allows the crews to fly with the tranquillity and confidence required in these situations,” Captain Becerra added.
SmartLynx Cargo plans to make several more visits through Navoi Airport while operating the current series of flights between Dakar and Lodz. The carrier operates three Airbus A321 freighters under wet-lease agreements with other airline operators and freight forwarding companies.
Apart from SmartLynx Airlines, Avia Solutions Group owns several other airlines, including, Avion Express, Ascend Airways, AirExplore, KlasJet, BBN Indonesia Airlines, Skytrans, and Magma Aviation. In total, ASG holds nine Air Operator’s Certificates (AOCs) in Europe, Indonesia, Thailand, and Australia. The Group operates a fleet of 214 aircraft.
Beyond airline operations, ASG also offers a wide range of aviation services, including Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO), pilot and crew recruitment and training, ground handling, and other associated services, including AeroTime and AviationCV.com.
