Qanot Sharq

Qanot Sharq is a privately held airline based in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Its operating history began in 1998, when it launched with a single Ilyushin Il-76 cargo aircraft. The company later ceased operations in 2012 and returned its air operator's certificate. It subsequently rebuilt its business around scheduled passenger aviation and relaunched operations in 2021. The airline's passenger restart was based initially on leased Airbus narrow-body aircraft. In 2021, Qanot Sharq leased two used Airbus A320-200 aircraft from Air Lease Corporation. Its first passenger service after the relaunch operated on 14 October 2021 between Tashkent International Airport and Moscow Vnukovo International Airport. The restart marked a transition from the company's earlier cargo-oriented activity toward commercial passenger services. Qanot Sharq operates international services from Tashkent and Samarkand, together with domestic or regional connectivity where scheduled. Its business is centered on air transportation rather than a broad travel-services portfolio, with aircraft, route schedules, fares, and related passenger services forming the core offering. The airline publishes destination information through its official website, while specific routes and frequencies can change seasonally and according to timetable filings. Fleet development has been an important part of the carrier's post-2021 strategy. The airline has operated Airbus A320-family aircraft and has also pursued longer-range Airbus A321neo-family equipment. In February 2025, Qanot Sharq said it expected to receive five new aircraft in 2026 and 2027, comprising three Airbus A321XLR aircraft and two Airbus A321LR aircraft. On 19 December 2025, it took delivery of its first Airbus A321XLR under a long-term lease arrangement with Air Lease Corporation; Airbus described that aircraft as the first of four A321XLR aircraft planned for delivery to the airline. As reported for March 2026, Qanot Sharq operated seven aircraft. Seating layouts may differ by individual aircraft and may change over time. The carrier's positioning is that of an emerging Uzbek airline using modern leased narrow-body aircraft to serve international routes from the country's principal aviation centers. Its development reflects the expansion and diversification of Uzbekistan's private and independent airline sector, although detailed ownership, financial, executive, and profitability information is not established in the supplied reference material.

Qanot Sharq was launched in 1998 as an Uzbek aviation company operating a single Ilyushin Il-76 cargo aircraft. Its first phase therefore centered on cargo activity rather than the scheduled passenger model associated with the airline today. The company ceased operations in 2012 and returned its air operator's certificate, ending its initial operating period. The business was re-established as a passenger airline in 2021. As part of the restart, Qanot Sharq leased two used Airbus A320-200 aircraft from Air Lease Corporation. The choice of the A320 family gave the carrier a standard narrow-body platform for regional and international routes. The airline's first passenger flight after its relaunch took place on 14 October 2021, connecting Tashkent International Airport with Moscow Vnukovo International Airport. Following the restart, Qanot Sharq developed international services from Tashkent and Samarkand. Its route network and frequencies are subject to timetable filings and seasonal adjustments, and the company directs passengers to its official website for current destination information. The airline's modern identity is consequently associated with Uzbekistan's expanding commercial passenger-airline market rather than with its earlier cargo-only operation. Fleet renewal and growth became a central part of the company's subsequent strategy. In February 2025, Qanot Sharq announced expectations for five new Airbus A321neo-family aircraft during 2026 and 2027: three A321XLR aircraft and two A321LR aircraft. On 19 December 2025, it received its first Airbus A321XLR under a long-term lease agreement with Air Lease Corporation. Airbus described the aircraft as the first of four A321XLR aircraft intended for delivery to Qanot Sharq. The planned aircraft would extend the airline's reach beyond the capabilities of conventional short- and medium-haul narrow-body equipment while retaining the operational commonality of the Airbus A320 family. As of March 2026, the airline was reported to operate seven aircraft. Individual cabin configurations can vary by airframe and may be revised over time. Qanot Sharq remains a privately held Uzbek airline, with headquarters in Tashkent and international operations from Tashkent and Samarkand. Publicly available information in the supplied sources does not establish a founder, parent company, detailed ownership structure, financial results, or named current and former executives.

• 2025

  A321XLR fleet program begins

  [1]Qanot Sharqen.wikipedia.org

  Qanot Sharq takes delivery of its first Airbus A321XLR on 19 December through a long-term lease with Air Lease Corporation.

• 2021

  Passenger operations relaunch

  [1]Qanot Sharqen.wikipedia.org

  Qanot Sharq resumes operations with two leased used Airbus A320-200 aircraft.

• 2021

  First passenger flight after relaunch

  [1]Qanot Sharqen.wikipedia.org

  The first post-relaunch passenger service flies from Tashkent to Moscow Vnukovo on 14 October.

• 2012

  Initial operating period ends

  [1]Qanot Sharqen.wikipedia.org

  The airline ceases operations and returns its air operator's certificate.

• 1998

  Airline launches with cargo operations

  [1]Qanot Sharqen.wikipedia.org

  Qanot Sharq begins operations with a single Ilyushin Il-76 cargo aircraft.

An emerging Uzbek passenger airline focused on international and regional connectivity using leased Airbus narrow-body aircraft.

• Air transportation · 2021

  Scheduled passenger flights

  Qanot Sharq's principal product is scheduled passenger air transportation. The airline operates international services from Tashkent and Samarkand, with routes and frequencies varying by timetable and season. Passenger travel is supported by standard airline functions such as reservations, ticketing, airport processing, baggage handling, and onboard carriage.

• Narrow-body passenger aviation · 2021

  Airbus A320-family services

  The Airbus A320 family formed the operational base of Qanot Sharq's passenger relaunch. The airline initially leased two used A320-200 aircraft from Air Lease Corporation, using the type for regional and international passenger services. The aircraft provide a common narrow-body platform suited to routes linking Uzbekistan with nearby international markets.

• Extended-range narrow-body passenger aviation · 2025

  Airbus A321LR and A321XLR services

  Qanot Sharq's planned A321neo-family expansion is intended to add longer-range narrow-body capability. The airline has described a 2026–2027 plan involving three A321XLR aircraft and two A321LR aircraft. Its first A321XLR was delivered in December 2025 under a long-term lease arrangement, supporting the carrier's development toward a broader international network.

• 2025

  Adoption of Airbus A321XLR aircraftOther

  Background

  The airline was planning to expand beyond its existing narrow-body fleet and stated that five A321neo-family aircraft were expected in 2026 and 2027.

  Action taken

  Qanot Sharq accepted its first Airbus A321XLR on 19 December 2025 through a long-term lease with Air Lease Corporation.

  Aftermath

  The delivery marked the beginning of the airline's reported A321XLR program and was described by Airbus as the first of four planned A321XLR deliveries.

  Source

• 2021

  Shift from inactive cargo operator to passenger airlineStrategy

  Background

  Qanot Sharq had ceased operations in 2012 after an earlier cargo-airline phase and had returned its air operator's certificate.

  Action taken

  The company relaunched passenger operations in 2021 and leased two used Airbus A320-200 aircraft from Air Lease Corporation.

  Aftermath

  The relaunch produced the airline's first passenger service on 14 October 2021 from Tashkent to Moscow Vnukovo and established its current passenger-focused identity.

  Source

1. 1Qanot Sharqen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Qanot Sharq official websiteqanotsharq.com