Silk Avia and ATR have signed an agreement to purchase five ATR 72-600 aircraft Silk Avia and Franco-Italian

ATR have signed a basic agreement to purchase five new ATR 72-600 aircraft, three directly from the manufacturer and two from the lessor. The agreement to purchase the aircraft for Uzbekistan's first regional airline was signed in Paris on the eve of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's official visit to France.

"We are very pleased that our airline will start flights with ATR aircraft in the near future. We have thoroughly analyzed the best option and terms. The ATR 72-600 is one of the most popular short-haul aircraft in the world. An economical low-cost aircraft that consumes four times less fuel than the A320 allows to offer passengers reliability and comfort at an affordable price," Rano Djurayeva, Chairman of the Board of Uzbekistan Airports underpinned. During the meeting in Paris,

Silk Avia and ATR also signed the Global Maintenance Agreement (GMA). The five-year, hourly-based contract will significantly reduce maintenance costs and increase productivity. The contract includes running and overhaul repairs, replacement of line-swap units, spare parts reserve and maintenance services. "In a rapidly developing country like Uzbekistan, Silk Avia plays an important role in the development of domestic tourism and stimulation of the economy. Studies have shown that a 10% increase in regional flights can lead to a 5% increase in local GDP, and ATR is doing its part by providing reliable and affordable regional aircraft. We are pleased to welcome Silk Avia as our new partner, opening up a new market for ATR in Central Asia,"

ATR Chief Executive Officer Natalie Tarno Laud said. Under the agreement, Silk Avia will receive an aircraft equipped with the new generation PW127XT engines which provide a 20 per cent reduction in maintenance costs and a 3 per cent reduction in fuel consumption when compared to existing engines. Silk Avia aircraft will be the first new ATR aircraft to fly in Central Asia.