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Aviation

Uzbekistan Discusses Local Production of Hungarian Magnus Aircraft

Uzbekistan is continuing efforts to expand its aviation sector, as Deputy Minister of Transport Jasurbek Choriyev held talks with Laszlo Borosh, Chief Executive Officer of the Hungarian company Magnus Aircraft Zrt., on the potential production of the Magnus Fusion 212 aircraft in the country. According to the Ministry of Transport, the meeting focused on prospects for assembling and manufacturing the lightweight composite aircraft in Uzbekistan. The Magnus Fusion 212 is produced by the Hungary-based firm, which specializes in the design, production, and sale of innovative aircraft made from composite materials. Magnus Aircraft is headquartered in Pogány, Hungary, near Pécs-Pogány International Airport, where it operates a facility covering approximately 8,000 square meters. The company is active in several international markets, including the United States, China, Kenya, Nigeria, Serbia, and countries in the Middle East. Earlier this month, Brazilian aerospace manufacturer Embraer Defense & Security announced at the Singapore Airshow that Uzbekistan is the previously undisclosed buyer of its C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft. In a statement released on February 3, the company identified Uzbekistan as the first Central Asian country to acquire and operate the aircraft. Embraer stated that the Uzbek Air Force will use the C-390 primarily for transport and humanitarian missions, strengthening national airlift and emergency response capabilities. “We officially welcome the Republic of Uzbekistan to the group of C-390 operators,” said Bosco da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security.

Aviation

Uzbekistan Airways Boeing 767 Makes Emergency Landing in Krasnoyarsk

An Uzbekistan Airways Boeing 767 made an emergency landing at Russia’s Krasnoyarsk airport on January 21 while en route from Tashkent to Vladivostok, according to a statement published by Krasnoyarsk airport on its Telegram channel. The aircraft, a Boeing 767-300, was carrying 101 passengers, five flight crew members, and 16 cabin crew at the time of the incident. Airport authorities confirmed the plane landed safely. Passengers subsequently underwent border and customs procedures and were relocated to the airport’s general terminal area. The aircraft was temporarily taken out of service pending a technical inspection. Uzbekistan Airways was expected to dispatch a reserve aircraft to complete the journey to Vladivostok. Later that day, airport officials reported that the stranded passengers were transferred to local hotels and provided with meals. As of 17:45 local time, the reserve aircraft was expected to arrive early on January 22, with a scheduled departure shortly thereafter. A follow-up update confirmed that the replacement aircraft departed Krasnoyarsk at 7:11 a.m. on January 22. Uzbekistan Airways has not yet disclosed the technical issue that led to the emergency landing. This incident follows another serious aviation event earlier this month involving aircraft from Russia’s Pobeda Airlines and Uzbekistan Airways. On January 10, in the Shymkent regional airspace over southern Kazakhstan, Pobeda flight PBD997 from Moscow to Samarkand and Uzbekistan Airways flight UZB9609 from Termez to Moscow came into potential conflict. The incident was classified as serious under Kazakhstan’s aviation safety regulations and prompted a formal investigation, Kazinform reported.

Aviation

Kazakhstan’s Transport Ministry to Investigate “Serious Aviation Incident” Involving Russian and Uzbek Flights

A serious aviation incident involving Russian and Uzbek commercial aircraft occurred in the airspace over southern Kazakhstan, according to Kazakhstan’s Department for the Investigation of Transport Accidents and Incidents. The incident was first reported by Kazinform, citing official comments from the agency. The event took place on the morning of January 10, within the area of responsibility of the Shymkent regional air traffic control center. At approximately 05:42 Astana time, air traffic controllers were managing two international flights when the incident occurred. The aircraft involved were Pobeda Airlines flight PBD997, en route from Moscow’s Vnukovo airport to Samarkand, and Uzbekistan Airways flight UZB9609, flying from Termez to Moscow. “In the A2I sector of the Shymkent regional dispatch center, during the handling of Pobeda Airlines flight PBD997 and Uzbekistan Airways flight UZB9609, an aviation event occurred,” the department stated, as quoted by Kazinform. The incident was classified as a “serious aviation incident” under national regulations, triggering a mandatory investigation by the relevant authorities. Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport has announced the formation of a special commission to investigate the case. According to the ministry’s press service, the standard duration for such investigations, from the establishment of the commission to the approval of the final report, is typically no more than three months, barring the need for additional analysis or technical assessments. At this stage, no information has been released regarding injuries, aircraft damage, or specific operational details, as the investigation remains ongoing. This incident follows a similar near-miss that occurred in September 2025, when an Uzbekistan Airways passenger jet narrowly avoided a collision with a private business aircraft in Russian airspace near Serpukhov, south of Moscow. That event took place shortly after midnight on September 29, during descent into Vnukovo airport. It involved an Uzbekistan Airways Airbus A320 arriving from Samarkand and an Embraer Legacy 650 business jet flying from Bodrum in Turkey. Investigators later attributed the incident to radio miscommunication, which resulted in a breach of the minimum required separation between the two aircraft.

Aviation

Rare Antonov An-124 Cargo Plane Makes Brief Stop in Tashkent

A rare sight drew the attention of aviation enthusiasts in Tashkent this week as an Antonov An-124-100M Ruslan, one of the world’s largest serially produced cargo aircraft, landed at Islam Karimov International Airport. According to Tashkent Sky News, the aircraft arrived from Urumqi and was registered as UR-82027. Notably, it bore the inscription “Be brave like Kharkiv”, a tribute to the resilience of the Ukrainian city under Russia's invasion. The An-124 remains a global leader in transporting oversized and heavy cargo. Capable of carrying between 120 and 150 tons, it features a cargo hold with a volume of approximately 1,050 cubic meters. The aircraft is equipped with both nose and tail cargo doors, each with built-in ramps, allowing simultaneous loading and unloading from either end, an advantage for complex logistics operations involving large or irregularly shaped equipment. Its robust design includes heavy-duty, multi-wheel landing gear, enabling it to land on less-developed airstrips. This operational flexibility makes the An-124 especially valuable in situations where access to major international airports is limited. Members of the Uzbekistan Spotters Team gathered at the airport to capture images of the aircraft during its brief stay. For local aviation enthusiasts, the visit offered a rare opportunity to photograph an iconic aircraft and share the experience with the global spotting community.

Aviation

Kazakhstan Expands Airbus Ties and Strengthens French Aviation Cooperation

Kazakhstan is strengthening its cooperation with European aerospace firms and preparing to modernize its civil aviation fleet. In Paris, during the Kazakh-French Business Council and the 16th Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation, a memorandum was signed for the delivery of Airbus A320neo aircraft. The document was signed by Talgat Lastayev, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Minister of Transport. The agreement provides for the delivery of 25 A320neo aircraft, with an option to expand the order by another 25 units. The A320neo is an upgraded version of the widely used narrow-body Airbus A320. The abbreviation “neo” (New Engine Option) refers to its modern engines, which reduce fuel consumption by 15% and operating costs by 8%. The aircraft also offers a 10% reduction in emissions and lower noise levels compared to the classic A320 series. “During the meeting between Talgat Lastayev and Airbus Vice President Charbel Youzkatli, the delivery schedule, currently set for 2031 and the possibility of acceleration were discussed. In addition,. In addition, the Deputy Minister raised the issue of establishing a joint aviation training center and expanding aircraft leasing cooperation,” the Ministry of Transport said in a statement. Additional areas of cooperation with international partners were also discussed. These included airport infrastructure upgrades with TAV Airports and expanded industrial collaboration with Alstom. The delegation also raised the restoration of direct flights between Paris and Astana and the potential launch of a new route between Shymkent and Nice. The Kazakh delegation, led by Lastayev, also met with the leadership of the French National Civil Aviation School (ENAC), including Director-General Olivier Chansou and Deputy Director General Nicolas Cazalis. Talks centered on creating a European-level regional aviation training center in Astana, which is expected to become a key piece of infrastructure for training aviation professionals across Central Asia. “The presence of such a training center in Kazakhstan will reduce the sector’s dependence on foreign training institutions and ensure the development of skilled professionals domestically. Cooperation will focus on the systematic training of local personnel and the exchange of international experience,” the Ministry stated. According to the Ministry of Transport, Kazakhstan’s aviation industry needs 500-600 new specialists each year, including pilots, engineers, air traffic controllers, and ground handling personnel. However, the country’s current training institutions do not meet the European standards set by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). ENAC is the only aviation education institution globally that meets the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), EASA, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and Airports Council International (ACI). Founded in 1946 in Toulouse, the school now partners with over 117 countries and offers more than 350 educational and professional development programs. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan is actively expanding its international air routes. Following the C5+1 working group conference on civil aviation held in August this year, new international routes were launched and flight frequencies to China and Uzbekistan increased.

TCA Interviews

Lifting Off: Kazakhstan’s Push Into Next-Gen Aviation Technologies

Kazakhstan’s plans to create an air taxi system based on electric eVTOLs in the city of Alatau have drawn attention to the country’s readiness to take the lead in implementing advanced unmanned technologies. The project would require large-scale changes in regulation and technological infrastructure, as well as personnel training and risk assessment. The Times of Central Asia discussed these futuristic developments with Aslan Satzhanov, acting CEO of the Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan JSC. Goals and Expected Results TCA: What is the Concept for the Development of Civil Unmanned Aviation in Kazakhstan, and what does it provide for? What are the key goals set out in the document? Satzhanov: In accordance with the government decree, the main goals for the development of civil unmanned aviation are to increase the volume of work using unmanned aerial systems (UAS), de-bureaucratize, digitize, and transform existing requirements, procedures, and processes. The principal aim is to simplify the formalities for performing UAS flights in designated airspace as much as possible. The development of the industry is based on the principles of safety, minimization of risks to people and objects, and the creation of the most favorable conditions for technological growth. Key approaches include establishing a scientific foundation, improving the training system, and expanding the scope of UAS applications. By 2031, it is planned that at least 80% of secondary and vocational education institutions will teach the basics of unmanned aviation. The share of enterprises in the agro-industrial complex (AIC), industry, and energy that use UAVs will grow by at least 30%. The localization of production of key UAS components in Kazakhstan will increase to 10%. In addition, Kazakhstani companies will be able to enter promising segments of the global market for unmanned aerial vehicles and software. Regulation and Legislative Framework TCA: How is the regulation of UAV flights and production structured today? To what extent does the regulatory framework meet modern requirements? Satzhanov: The fundamental document is the Rules for the Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems, adopted back in 2020. Kazakhstan became the first country in the post-Soviet space to approve comprehensive rules for the use of UAS in its airspace. Later, amendments were made to the Law on the Use of Airspace. Based on these amendments, the rules for the use of airspace for UAS operations were updated in 2023. Thus, the regulatory framework has been fully established. It is in line with global trends from urban air mobility to unmanned taxis and strikes a balance between technological development and flight safety. The transition to eVTOL and urban air mobility will create a new transport ecosystem: it increases population mobility, reduces the load on ground infrastructure, improves the environmental situation, and promotes innovation. Training TCA: What measures are planned for training UAV operators and introducing unmanned technologies into educational programs? Satzhanov: The concept provides for the creation of a multi-level training and professional development system. Modules on civil unmanned aviation will be introduced into secondary and vocational education programs, covering at least 80% of educational...