Exploring the Background of Turkmenistan Airlines (AvHistory #12)
Exploring Turkmenistan Airlines: The World's Most Secretive Flag Carrier
We need to shift our focus and discuss one of the most secretive and restricted airlines in the world—based in Turkmenistan.
The country’s leadership shares characteristics commonly associated with authoritarian regimes, and its national airline reflects that structure. Turkmenistan Airlines, known locally as Türkmenhowaýollary, is the flag carrier—and only airline—of Turkmenistan, a former Soviet Socialist Republic that transitioned into a dictatorship following the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991.
Headquartered in the capital city of Ashgabat, where its sole hub is located, Turkmenistan Airlines operates both domestic and international passenger and cargo services. However, passengers must be vetted and cleared by Turkmenistan’s state authorities before boarding.
The airline’s history is both fascinating and relatively brief.
The state-owned Turkmenistan Airlines was founded on May 4, 1992, shortly after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. That same year, it became the first airline in the former Soviet Union to purchase a Boeing 737-300.
Its first cargo flight took place in April 1993, using a Soviet-built Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft, operating from Ashgabat to Brest, Belarus.
Beginning in 2001, the airline phased out much of its Soviet-era fleet in favor of more modern aircraft, including Boeing 717s, which were primarily used for domestic routes until their eventual retirement. In total, the airline acquired seven Boeing 717 aircraft, including both the -100 and -200 series (originally developed as the McDonnell Douglas MD-95).
In 2009, a Boeing 737-700 was demonstrated in Ashgabat. On September 2 of that year, Boeing announced that Turkmenistan Airlines had confirmed an order for three additional aircraft valued at $192 million.
Also in 2009, the airline opened the Lachyn Hotel (Laçyn, meaning “Falcon”) in Ashgabat. This facility is reserved exclusively for security-cleared transit passengers—those who have been approved by state authorities and are continuing onward to another destination. The hotel accommodates up to 200 guests and is located along Bitarap Türkmenistan şaýoly, a major roadway connecting the city center to Ashgabat International Airport.
In January 2013, the airline launched regular cargo flights to Brno, a key city in the South Moravian region of the Czech Republic. These operations generated significant revenue and supported the development of a new ticket sales center, which includes 30 offices—17 for domestic routes and 13 for international services.
Operations remained relatively stable until 2017, when the state air transport enterprise Türkmenhowaýollary was restructured into a joint-stock company, now operating under the name Turkmenistan Airlines.
In February 2019, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) suspended the airline’s permission to operate within the European Union. As a result, flights to destinations in the United Kingdom, France, and Germany were halted.
However, in December 2019, the airline resumed service to the European Union after a 10-month suspension. This authorization remains conditional and can be revoked at any time. Some countries, including Germany, have imposed additional restrictions on the airline’s use of their airspace.
Despite these challenges, Turkmenistan Airlines continued expanding. By January 2024, the airline had announced new destinations, including Milan, Ho Chi Minh City, Jeddah, and Kuala Lumpur.
As of last year, the airline operates flights to five domestic destinations and 14 international destinations across 13 countries from its hub at Ashgabat International Airport—an impressive reach given its regulatory constraints.
S7 Airlines, Turkmenistan Airlines’ only codeshare partner and based in Russia, has faced significant operational challenges. Due to ongoing sanctions related to the war in Ukraine, parts shortages led to aircraft being cannibalized—reportedly impacting S7’s ability to maintain operations.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Turkmenistan Airlines suspended all international passenger flights in March 2020. To mitigate the risk of virus transmission, incoming international flights were redirected to Turkmenabat International Airport or Turkmenbashi International Airport—both regional airports located outside Ashgabat. Turkmenbashi, notably, is situated along the Caspian Sea.
Flight operations gradually resumed throughout 2022.
In terms of onboard features, Turkmenistan Airlines offers complimentary (though somewhat outdated) AdonisOne in-flight entertainment on international flights. Passengers can access movies, audiobooks, music, and magazines by connecting to the onboard Wi-Fi network using devices in flight mode. The platform supports multiple languages and offers a range of content.
Today, the airline has largely phased out its Soviet-era fleet, retaining only one Ilyushin Il-76 cargo aircraft. Its passenger fleet consists primarily of Boeing aircraft. The VIP fleet includes Bombardier Global series business jets and the final Boeing 777-200LR ever produced.
Cabin offerings remain relatively simple. Turkmenistan Airlines operates a two-class configuration on most routes: Business Class and Economy Class.
Premium Economy is available only on its two Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, a product introduced in late December 2023.
Thank you for reading. We hope this provided insight into an airline few people know about, operating within one of the most closed-off countries in the world.
Note: Brooke In The Air Travel does not facilitate or encourage travel to or through Turkmenistan.
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