Silk Avia
An Uzbekistan-based regional airline focused on domestic and short-haul Central Asian air services.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Silk Avia is a regional airline headquartered in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and based at Tashkent International Airport. It was created in 2021 at the initiative of Uzbekistan's Ministry of Transport as a low-cost carrier intended to strengthen domestic air connectivity, support tourism, and facilitate business travel within Uzbekistan. The airline operates as a partner of Uzbekistan Airways and uses the IATA designator US and the ICAO designator USA. The airline's creation formed part of a broader effort to develop Uzbekistan's regional aviation network. Rather than concentrating primarily on long-haul international routes, Silk Avia was designed around short-haul and domestic services linking important Uzbek cities and regional destinations. Its operating model relies mainly on ATR turboprop aircraft, which are suited to relatively short sectors and airports where demand may not support larger jet aircraft. This gives the carrier a role in connecting secondary cities with Tashkent and with one another. Silk Avia's establishment was publicly announced at the Dubai Airshow in November 2021. The company subsequently prepared an initial fleet based on aircraft previously operated by Bangkok Airways. Its first aircraft left Bangkok on March 18, 2023, and reached Tashkent on March 21 after six stopovers. Following preparation and test flights, the airline began commercial operations on April 25, 2023. The carrier became the first operator of ATR 72 aircraft in Central Asia, giving the fleet a regional distinction as well as a practical fit for its intended network. Fleet development continued through a five-aircraft order announced in November 2022. The order included three aircraft sourced directly from ATR and two aircraft obtained through a leasing arrangement with Nordic Aviation Capital. The leasing component was announced during the Paris Air Show in June 2023, and the first aircraft under that arrangement was delivered in February 2024. By December 2024, the reported fleet comprised five ATR 72-600 aircraft in service, with three more on order, two ATR 42-600 aircraft on order, and four Let L-410 Turbolet aircraft operated on behalf of Uzbekistan Airways. The reported total was nine aircraft in operation and five additional aircraft on order. Silk Avia also underwent an ownership and organizational restructuring in 2023. In October, following a presidential decision concerning the organization and efficiency of aviation activities, all of the airline's capital was transferred to the charter capital of Uzbekistan Helicopters. Three ATR 72-600 aircraft acquired by Uzbekistan Airports were also transferred to Uzbekistan Helicopters, which was tasked with expanding the ATR fleet. This placed Silk Avia within the Uzbekistan Helicopters structure while preserving its role as a regional airline associated with Uzbekistan Airways. The carrier initially emphasized domestic connectivity, but began extending its network beyond Uzbekistan. In August 2024, it operated its first international flight to the Issyk-Kul region of Kyrgyzstan. Regular service linking Samarkand with Turkestan in Kazakhstan was also planned for the same period. The airline reported operations to 15 destinations and ambitions to expand to as many as 40 destinations, although the actual network is subject to change. Its visual identity draws directly on the meaning of its name. The livery uses a satin-like motif across the forward and central fuselage, with colors inspired by Central Asian textile traditions and patterns associated with the tubeteika, a traditional regional cap. Silk Avia has indicated that additional variations of the design may be introduced. Overall, the brand combines a regional cultural reference with a practical low-cost airline proposition centered on accessible short-haul air travel.
History
Silk Avia was founded on July 6, 2021, as part of an initiative led by Uzbekistan's Ministry of Transport. The project was intended to promote domestic tourism and business activity by improving air links within Uzbekistan. Its establishment was publicly announced at the Dubai Airshow in November of that year. The carrier was structured as a regional low-cost airline and developed a partnership relationship with Uzbekistan Airways. The airline selected ATR turboprop aircraft for its initial operating model. These aircraft are well suited to short-haul routes and regional airports, allowing the carrier to serve markets that may not be appropriate for larger jet aircraft. Silk Avia initially began preparing three aircraft that had previously been operated by Bangkok Airways. Its first aircraft departed Bangkok on March 18, 2023, and arrived in Tashkent on March 21 after six stopovers. Following test and preparation flights, commercial operations commenced on April 25, 2023. Silk Avia became the first operator of ATR 72 aircraft in Central Asia. Fleet expansion was planned before the start of commercial service. On November 23, 2022, the airline placed an order for five ATR aircraft. Three were to be acquired directly from the manufacturer, while two were to be provided through a lease arrangement with Nordic Aviation Capital. The leasing arrangement was announced at the Paris Air Show on June 20, 2023. The first aircraft supplied under that arrangement was delivered in February 2024. A major structural change occurred in October 2023 following an Uzbek presidential decision concerning the organization of aviation activities. All of Silk Avia's capital was transferred to the charter capital of Uzbekistan Helicopters. In the same restructuring, three ATR 72-600 aircraft acquired by Uzbekistan Airports were transferred to Uzbekistan Helicopters, which received responsibility for expanding the ATR fleet. The change placed Silk Avia under Uzbekistan Helicopters while maintaining its position as a regional carrier connected with the national aviation system. Silk Avia's early network was primarily domestic, reflecting its original policy purpose. The carrier later began developing cross-border services. In August 2024, it operated its first international flight to the Issyk-Kul region of Kyrgyzstan. Regular flights from Samarkand to Turkestan in Kazakhstan were also planned. The airline reported service to 15 destinations and expressed an intention to expand toward a network of 40 destinations. As of December 2024, the reported fleet included five ATR 72-600 aircraft in service, three additional ATR 72-600 aircraft on order, and two ATR 42-600 aircraft on order. Four Let L-410 Turbolet aircraft were also in service on behalf of Uzbekistan Airways. In total, the reported fleet consisted of nine operating aircraft and five aircraft on order. The brand identity references the historical importance of silk and Central Asian textile traditions. Its livery incorporates a satin-fabric effect extending from the nose toward the middle of the fuselage. The color palette and pattern language draw on regional satin textiles and motifs associated with the tubeteika. The airline has indicated that it may introduce further livery variations. This visual approach complements its strategic role as a modern regional carrier rooted in Uzbekistan and oriented toward broader Central Asian connectivity.
- 2024
First international flight
[1]Silk Avia operated its first international service to the Issyk-Kul region of Kyrgyzstan in August.
- 2023
First aircraft arrives in Tashkent
[1]The first aircraft departed Bangkok on March 18 and arrived in Tashkent on March 21 after six stopovers.
- 2023
Commercial launch
[1]Silk Avia began commercial operations on April 25 after test flights.
- 2023
Transfer to Uzbekistan Helicopters structure
[1]In October, all of Silk Avia's capital was transferred to the charter capital of Uzbekistan Helicopters as part of a national aviation restructuring.
- 2022
ATR fleet order
[1]Silk Avia ordered five ATR aircraft, combining direct purchases with a planned lease arrangement.
- 2021
Foundation
[1]Silk Avia was founded on July 6 under the initiative of Uzbekistan's Ministry of Transport.
- 2021
Public announcement at Dubai Airshow
[1]The airline's establishment was officially announced at the Dubai Airshow in November.
Products and positioning
A low-cost, regional airline intended to improve domestic connectivity in Uzbekistan and gradually extend affordable short-haul services across Central Asia.
Passenger airline service · 2023
Domestic scheduled passenger service
Silk Avia's core offering is scheduled domestic air travel within Uzbekistan. The network is designed to connect Tashkent with regional cities and to improve links between secondary destinations. ATR turboprop aircraft support frequent short-haul operations and allow the airline to serve markets where larger aircraft may be less economical.
Passenger airline service · 2024
Regional international passenger service
The airline has begun extending its domestic connectivity model into neighboring Central Asian markets. Its first international flight served the Issyk-Kul region of Kyrgyzstan in August 2024, with further regional routes, including a planned Samarkand–Turkestan service, forming part of its expansion direction.
Aircraft-based transport service · 2023
ATR regional fleet operations
Silk Avia operates ATR 72-600 aircraft and has planned additional ATR 72-600 and ATR 42-600 deliveries. The fleet strategy emphasizes efficient turboprop operations for short sectors, regional airports, and routes with developing passenger demand.
Brand decisions
2024
Launch of international operationsProduct launchBackground
After establishing a domestic network, Silk Avia began pursuing short-haul links with neighboring Central Asian countries.
Action taken
The airline operated its first international flight to the Issyk-Kul region of Kyrgyzstan and planned additional regional services.
Aftermath
The move broadened Silk Avia's role from a primarily domestic carrier toward a regional Central Asian airline.
2023
Transfer of ownership structure to Uzbekistan HelicoptersStrategyBackground
Uzbekistan implemented structural changes intended to organize aviation activities more efficiently and strengthen the management of regional aircraft assets.
Action taken
All of Silk Avia's capital was transferred to the charter capital of Uzbekistan Helicopters. Three ATR 72-600 aircraft acquired by Uzbekistan Airports were also transferred to that entity.
Aftermath
Uzbekistan Helicopters became responsible for increasing the ATR fleet, and Silk Avia continued operating as a regional airline within the reorganized aviation structure.
2022
Order of five ATR aircraftProduct launchBackground
Silk Avia needed a fleet suitable for regional and domestic routes as it prepared to launch its low-cost airline model.
Action taken
The airline ordered five ATR aircraft, with three intended to come directly from the manufacturer and two arranged through Nordic Aviation Capital.
Aftermath
The order supported the carrier's planned fleet expansion; the first aircraft connected with the lease arrangement was delivered in February 2024.
Recent events
- 2024
Silk Avia enters international service[1]
Product launch
The airline operated its first international flight to the Issyk-Kul region of Kyrgyzstan in August 2024.
- 2023
Silk Avia begins commercial operations[1]
Product launch
After receiving and testing its initial aircraft, Silk Avia began commercial flights on April 25, 2023.
- 2022
Silk Avia orders five ATR aircraft[1]
Product launch
The carrier placed an order for five ATR aircraft, with three planned from the manufacturer and two arranged through Nordic Aviation Capital.
- 2021
Silk Avia is established under an Uzbek transport initiative[1]
Other
The airline was founded on July 6, 2021, under the initiative of Uzbekistan's Ministry of Transport to support domestic tourism and business activity.
- 2021
Silk Avia is presented at the Dubai Airshow[1]
Other
The airline's establishment was officially announced at the Dubai Airshow in November 2021.
Sources1 sources
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