Asman Airlines eyes COMAC C909, C919 aircraft

Kyrgyzstan’s state-owned Asman Airlines is considering C909 and C919 aircraft from China’s Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), while separately pursuing plans to add Airbus A321 aircraft for international routes.

Under the proposed cooperation, COMAC will provide technical and commercial information on both aircraft as the two sides assess their economic viability on Asman’s existing and planned routes. Airline representatives will also visit COMAC’s production facilities in Shanghai, reported The Times Of Central Asia.

The talks will also cover aircraft certification. Before Asman could operate either aircraft, Kyrgyzstan’s State Civil Aviation Agency would be expected to help validate their type certificates, which are regulatory approvals confirming that an aircraft design meets applicable safety requirements.

The C909 is a regional jet with seating for 78 to 97 passengers and a range of about 1,380 to 2,300 miles. COMAC says the aircraft is designed to operate from short and narrow runways and high-altitude airports, which could make it suitable for Kyrgyzstan’s mountainous terrain.

The C919 is a larger single-aisle aircraft with seating for 158 to 192 passengers and a range of about 2,530 to 3,450 miles. It competes in the same broad market segment as the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 families.

Both aircraft are already in commercial service. COMAC said in February that more than 200 C909 and C919 aircraft had been delivered in total. The C909 has also entered service with airlines in Southeast Asia.

The C919’s expansion beyond China has been slower. The aircraft is certified by the Civil Aviation Administration of China, while its European certification process remains incomplete. In January, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency said its pilots had conducted validation flights of the C919 in Shanghai.

Asman Airlines currently operates three Canadian-built Dash 8 Q400 turboprops, each with seating for up to 80 passengers, primarily on domestic and short regional routes. In July, the airline resumed seasonal flights between Almaty and Issyk-Kul.

Asman’s parent company, Airports of Kyrgyzstan, signed an agreement with BBAM Aircraft Leasing & Management in March to acquire two Airbus A321 aircraft for the airline. The airport operator said in July that Asman plans to add eight A321s over five years, with the first two aircraft forming the initial stage of the fleet expansion.

In June, the European Commission removed all airlines certified in Kyrgyzstan from the EU Air Safety List, ending restrictions that had been in place since 2006. However, removal from the list does not automatically allow airlines to operate flights to the European Union. Carriers must still have suitable aircraft and obtain the required operating approvals.