Under the National Program for the Development of Civil Aviation for the period 2012-2030, which involves the construction of airports, strengthening infrastructure, and expanding the country’s aircraft fleet, and by presidential decree, Turkmenistan Airlines acquired two Boeing 777-300ER passenger planes.
One of the planes, registered under the designation EZ-A781, has a capacity of 368 seats, including 40 in business class, 32 in premium economy, and 296 in economy class. The aircraft is equipped with two GE 90-115 engines, has a flight range of 11,390 km, and can carry up to 40,000 kg of cargo. On December 4, 2023, the plane was received at Ashgabat International Airport. The second aircraft of this type will be delivered in the near future. According to the government, these aircraft will create conditions to meet the population’s needs for international passenger transport.
Related content: Turkmenistan Airlines Expands Fleet with Boeing 737 MAX and 777-300ER
In mid-June of last year, the Government of Turkmenistan authorized the expansion and modernization of the fleet of the state airline. Turkmenistan Airlines then placed an order for four Boeing 737 MAX. In addition, TMH Aviation Leasing will deliver the two Boeing 777-300ERs. In 2018, the airline had ordered three Boeing 737 MAX 7, but these orders were subsequently canceled due to the grounding of the model between 2019 and 2021. On the other hand, the two 777-300ERs were previously operated by Cathay Pacific and were stored in Teruel, Spain, since mid-2022.
Currently, the company’s fleet consists of eight Boeing 737-800, two Boeing 737-700, three Boeing 757-200, and three Boeing 777-200LR. In addition, they have a cargo fleet that includes two Airbus A330-200 P2F and two Ilyushin Il-76TD. As a state-flag carrier, Turkmenistan Airlines has a fleet that includes two British Aerospace 125, a Challenger 870, two Boeing 737-700 BBJ, and a VIP-configured Boeing 777-200LR. On the other hand, the airline’s destination network is quite limited due to its closed nature. It operates from the country’s capital, Ashgabat (ASB), to five domestic and nine international cities.
