OREANDA-NEWS. February 02, 2010. The National Air Company of Uzbekistan marks 18 years of its operation. On this day in 1992 President Islam Karimov signed a decree on establishing O`zbekiston Havo Yo`llari (Uzbekistan Airways).

Over the past years, the carrier has occupied a strong position on the international air transportation market and expanded the range of its operation.

The company is implementing the State program of civil aviation development until 2020, which envisages full modernization of the air fleet, creation of the modern base for technical service of planes, development of infrastructure, and reconstruction of the air traffic management system.

At a press conference in Tashkent on 27 January, Uzbekistan Airways director general Valeriy Tyan said the company carried 7.7% more passengers on the internal routes last year compared to 2008.

The company continued works on creation of the international logistics center in Navoi airport. From 27 May, regular use of two cargo planes A300-600 of Korean Air started on routes from Navoi to Bangkok, Delhi and Mumbai. International cargo transportations grew by 35.8% last year.

Uzbekistan Airways is continuing modernization of its fleet. In 2009, the company received two locally produced Il-114-100 planes.

Uzbekistan Airways Technics is carrying out technical service of not only Uzbek planes, but also liners of foreign companies.

The National Air Company successfully passed the IOSA audit last year and was included in the official register of operators of IOSA.

In the framework of preparation to joining the SkyTeam international alliance, Uzbekistan Airways has identified a supplier of information systems, which will soon be introduced.