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Turkmenistan's National Air Carrier to Buy Boeing Cargo Jet

By Nazrin Gadimova June 22, 2020

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Turkmenistan Airlines is the flag carrier of Turkmenistan, based in the country’s capital Ashgabat. The airline operates domestic and international passenger and cargo services mainly from its hub at Ashgabat International Airport.

The government in Ashgabat has announced plans to purchase the country's first Boeing 777F, which will be added to the fleet of Turkmenistan Airlines.

On June 19, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow ordered state-owned air carrier better known as Türkmenhowaýollary to sign an agreement with Frankfurt-based aircraft leasing company Aircraft Finance Germany, under which Turkmenistan will purchase one Boeing 777-200F jet.

The value of the deal, however, has not been disclosed. According to data compiled by Wall Street Zen, a stock research platform with its headquarters in Hong Kong, the Boeing 777F, known also as 777 Freighter, costs $352.3 million on average. 

As a part of the Boeing 777 family of airliners, the 777-200F is an efficient, long-range, high-capacity freighter that debuted in 2009. 

The 777-200F jet provides significant savings for cargo operators around the globe, enabling them to take advantage of fewer stops and associated landing fees, less congestion at transfer hubs, lower cargo handling costs and shorter cargo delivery times. With a maximum takeoff weight of 347,814 kilograms, the 777-200F has a revenue payload capability of more than 105,233 kilograms and can fly 9,047 kilometers with a full payload at general cargo market densities, making it the world’s longest-range twin-engine freighter.

The aircraft's fuel economy also provides environmental benefits as its lower fuel consumption results in lower carbon emissions. The 777-200F also meets London-Heathrow noise standards (QC2) for maximum accessibility to noise‑sensitive airports.

As of today, FedEx Express — one of the world’s largest cargo airlines — operates the largest fleet of the 777F cargo aircraft.

Officials in Turkmenistan believe the new jet will modernize existing air infrastructure and expand the country’s presence abroad. 

‘‘We should use all available opportunities to turn Turkmenistan into one of the largest international transport centers,’’ President Berdimuhamedow was quoted by state-owned Turkmenistan Golden Age newspaper as saying earlier this month.

‘‘Thanks to this, domestic aviators will be able to expand the geography of regular freight traffic and increase the frequency of flights on existing routes," the president added.

Turkmenistan’s efforts to develop and strengthen its air transportation capacity come after Turkmenistan Airlines flights to Europe were suspended last February, pending confirmation that the air carrier meets international air safety standards.

Officials in Ashgabat have spent months upgrading security, together with Lufthansa Consulting, an international aviation consultancy for airlines, airports, and related industries. On October 16, the restrictions were lifted after Turkmenistan Airlines confirmed compliance with technical requirements related to air operations in the EU territory.

Turkmenistan Airlines is the flag carrier of Turkmenistan, based in the country’s capital Ashgabat. The airline operates domestic and international passenger and cargo services mainly from its hub at Ashgabat International Airport. The airline transports more than 3,000 passengers daily within the country and nearly two million passengers annually on the international and domestic routes together. 

As of October 10, 2019, Turkmenistan Airlines owned and operated 19 aircraft with an average age of 9.6 years. The fleet of the air carrier includes Boeing 737-700 (4 units), 737-800 (8 units), 757-200 (3 units), 777-200 (3 units), Bombardier CRJ-700 (1 unit) and a cargo fleet of IL 76 (8 units).

In the meantime, in 2020, Boeing has generated $4.13 billion of its $58.15 billion total revenues from the Asia region, which includes Turkmenistan, according to Boeing statistics and fact sheet compiled by Wall Street Zen. The statistics for Asia did not cover China, a market separately evaluated by Boeing and stock researchers. Commercial airplanes, including the 777F cargo aircraft ordered by Ashgabat, have made up $4.73 billion in 2020 revenues of the company.

Turkmenistan’s current partnership with Boeing is not exactly new: the company’s relationship with the Caspian region state dates back to 1992.

Last June, officials at Boeing announced that Turkmenistan Airlines would purchase its fourth 777-200LR (Long Range) airplane, to boost its fleet. 

‘‘The 777 is the world’s most successful twin-engine, long-haul airplane and the 777-200LR is the right airplane to help Turkmenistan Airlines grow its international operations in Europe, Asia and beyond,’’ said Ihssane Mounir, senior vice president of commercial sales and marketing at Boeing.

The delivery of the aircraft is scheduled for January 2021.