Boeing has delivered to Turkmenistan Airlines, Turkmenistan’s national flag carrier, the first of two new 777-200LR (Longer Range) passenger widebodies the carrier ordered from the manufacturer.
The delivery of Turkmenistan Airlines’ first Boeing 777-200LR coincided with the opening of a new terminal at Ashgabat International Airport (IATA code ASB), which serves Turkmenistan’s capital Ashgabat.
“Boeing and Turkmenistan Airlines have been partners for more than 20 years and we’ve seen the airline grow to become a successful company,” says Marty Bentrott, vice president, sales, Middle East, Russia and Central Asia for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The airline continues to invest in its fleet, increase profitability and provide best service to its valued customers.”
“We are very excited about the delivery of the new 777-200LR, which will be a fantastic addition to our fleet,” says Merdan Ayazov, chief executive of Turkmenistan Airlines. “The performance and range of the airplane, as well as its great economics, will contribute significantly to our fleet expansion strategy.”
Turkmenistan Airlines’ fleet modernization plan started in 1992, when the airline became the first carrier in the Commonwealth of Independent States to order aircraft from Boeing.
The airline’s fleet is all-Boeing apart from eight Ilyushin Il-76TD freighters. Turkmenistan Airlines’ fleet currently includes seven 717-200s, three 737-300s, four Boeing 737-700 jets (it operates another as a VIP aircraft for the Turkmenistan government), five 737-800s and four 757-200s.