Why a new Uzbek airline is naming planes after historical giants

Countries & Cities · Published 13 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Centrum Air isn't just moving cargo and passengers across borders; it is attempting to turn its fleet into a flying museum. By naming aircraft after legendary statesmen and poets, the carrier seeks to weave Uzbekistan’s cultural heritage into the modern infrastructure of international aviation.

Founded on January 18, 2023, as part of a government initiative to elevate air travel quality in Uzbekistan, Centrum Air has rapidly scaled its operations. By April 2025, the airline had established a presence across various destinations and secured permissions for regular flights to China. To ensure these operations meet international safety standards, the carrier entered into multi-year agreements with Acron Aviation for flight simulator training in Bangkok and London, as well as distance learning contracts with CPaT Global for Airbus A320 systems.

The airline's growth strategy involves a mix of leased and owned assets. While its initial fleet included an airframe from Lithuania's GetJet Airlines, it secured a significant deal at the Dubai Airshow in November 2025 to lease five Airbus A320neo aircraft from Avolon. The company aims to reach a fleet size of 24 planes by 2026, featuring both Airbus A320 and A330 family jets.

Beyond logistics, the airline serves as a vehicle for national identity. In April 2026, it launched an initiative to name aircraft after outstanding historical figures. The first plane, registration UK32070, was named after Amir Temur, timed to coincide with his birth date. Another was dedicated to Alisher Navoiy, a 15th-century poet and thinker. This cultural mission is paired with social involvement, including partnerships with the Uzbekistan Professional Football League and humanitarian efforts, such as repatriating over two thousand EU citizens from Thailand and the Maldives in March 2026.

The airline also marks milestones of inclusivity, announcing its first woman pilot, Susan Mamedova, in September 2025. These moves suggest a dual-track strategy: establishing high-standard technical reliability while simultaneously acting as a soft-power ambassador for Uzbek history.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• The Russian carrier bridging Saint Petersburg and the Far East
• How a Moldovan startup rapidly scaled into a multi-national aviation player across three countries
• Tashkent International Airport is a historic Central Asian hub preparing for a total replacement
• How a small state department became the world's most connected global airline
• The airport terminal inspired by the shape of five yurts
• How a strategic military base led to the detachment of the Chagos Archipelago
• A city's money core need not match its old downtown
• Why the Chaldean Catholic Church is neither Chaldean nor a new religious invention
• India's Seven Central Armed Police Forces: A Complex Web of Security and Law
• How a French Alpine city became the seat of a powerful European dynasty
• The Italian tank destroyer that trades heavy armor for extreme mobility
• The devout Sri Lankan fast bowler who redefined precision in international cricket history

More in Cities · More in Countries & Cities · Latest · A–Z · All topics