In mid-June, the Government of Turkmenistan authorized the expansion and modernization of the national airline’s fleet. An update in Boeing’s order list revealed that Turkmenistan Airlines placed an order for four Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. In addition, a lease agreement has been arranged with TMH Aviation Leasing for two Boeing 777-300ER airplanes.
This news signifies a renewed agreement between the company and the American manufacturer for the acquisition of the MAX model. In 2018, the airline had ordered three Boeing 737 MAX 7 aircraft, but these orders were later cancelled due to the grounding of the model between 2019 and 2021. On the other hand, the two Boeing 777-300ER aircraft were previously operated by Cathay Pacific and have been stored in Teruel (TEV), Spain, since mid-2022.
According to the government, these acquisitions align with the National Program for the Development of Civil Aviation in Turkmenistan until 2030 and are expected to contribute to the achievement of the country’s aviation development goals.
The state airline’s fleet is relatively modern, with an average age of 14 years. In 2021, they received their most recent aircraft, the last manufactured Boeing 777-200LR (Large Range).
Turkmenistan Airlines’ current fleet
At present, the company’s fleet comprises eight Boeing 737-800s, two Boeing 737-700s, three Boeing 757-200s, and three Boeing 777-200LRs. They also have a cargo fleet that includes two Airbus A330-200 P2Fs and two Ilyushin Il-76TDs. According to Flightradar24 data, all Boeing 757 aircraft and two Boeing 737-800s are currently out of service.
As a state flag carrier, Turkmenistan Airlines possesses a VIP fleet; which includes two British Aerospace 125s, a Challenger 870, two Boeing 737-700 BBJs, and a Boeing 777-200LR configured in a VIP version.
On the other hand, the airline’s network of destinations is quite limited due to its reclusive nature. It operates from the country’s capital, Ashgabat (ASB), to five domestic cities and nine international ones, including Beijing (PEK), Dubai (DXB), Istanbul (IST), Frankfurt (FRA), Kazan (KZN), London/Heathrow (LHR), Medina (MED), Moscow/Domodedovo (DME), and Delhi (DEL).
