Qanot Sharq’s First A321XLR Emerges from Airbus Paint Shop

The first Airbus A321XLR for Uzbek carrier Qanot Sharq has been spotted leaving the paint shop at Airbus’ Finkenwerder facility near Hamburg, Germany, where it is now undergoing final preparations for delivery. The aircraft, currently carrying the temporary Airbus test registration D-AYAB, features Qanot Sharq’s blue-and-white livery along with branding promoting Uzbekistan. It is expected to enter commercial service before the end of 2025.

This will be the first A321XLR based in Central Asia and is the first of three A321XLRs that Qanot Sharq leased from Air Lease Corporation in February 2025. The deal also included two A321LRs. The airline currently operates an all-Airbus fleet of two A320ceo, one A321neo and two A330 aircraft, with additional A321XLR, A321LR and A320neo models on order as part of its expansion strategy.

Founded in 2021, Qanot Sharq is one of several new carriers benefiting from Uzbekistan’s aviation liberalization and tourism growth. The surge in inbound travel has prompted major infrastructure investment, including a new USD 2.5 billion international airport in Tashkent announced in October 2025.

Qanot Sharq is also pursuing long-haul expansion. In October 2025, the airline filed for U.S. Department of Transportation approval to launch twice-weekly service between Tashkent and New York via Budapest. Although Uzbekistan and the U.S. have had an Open Skies agreement since 1998, Qanot Sharq’s planned service would become the first direct commercial link between Central Asia and the United States.

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