Air TransportQanot Sharq first Airbus A321XLR left the paint shop in Hamburg
Qanot Sharq Airlines’ first Airbus A321XLR left the paint shop in Hamburg and is now undergoing technical and operational testing at the Airbus facility.
The Uzbek carrier is the first in Central Asia and the sixth worldwide to operate the A321XLR, with tests being conducted alongside Airbus specialists and Qanot Sharq pilots, according to the company.
This delivery is part of a lease agreement signed with Air Lease Corporation in February 2025. The contract covers three A321XLR and two A321LR aircraft, all scheduled for delivery between 2026 and 2027 from Air Lease’s existing backlog.
Qanot Sharq intends to deploy the A321XLR on long-haul routes, expanding its network from Tashkent to destinations including Tel Aviv, Istanbul, Jeddah, Medina, Phuket, Prague, Milan, and Seoul. The addition of longer-range narrowbodies is expected to support the airline’s growth strategy in international markets.
Founded in 1998, Qanot Sharq is the first private airline in Uzbekistan and began operations in 2021. Its current fleet consists of one A320ceo, two A321neo, and three A330-200 aircraft.
Following the completion of technical checks in Hamburg, the A321XLR will proceed to further operational tests prior to entry into service. The next aircraft in the order are scheduled for transfer to Qanot Sharq over the next two years.
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