Boeing 737-200 temporarily banned in Kyrgyzstan

[C.Foo 3]

Kyrgyzstan: Boeing 737-200 are temporarily banned

 

Kyrgyz aviation banned the exploitation of Boeing 737-200 aircrafts. On October 10 such decree was issued by the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) of Kyrgyzstan.

 

This decision is reasoned by more frequent problems in Boeing 737-200 aircraft engines, registered in Kyrgyzstan. The ban is effective until the real reasons of engine incidents are investigated.

 

 

Boeing 737-200 of Kyrgyz ITEK Air Company crashed on August 24, 2008 near Bishkek. 65 people died in the accident. Photo by Ferghana.Ru news agency. The details are available here.

 

 

According to the press-service of Transport and Communications Ministry of Kyrgyzstan, CAD department for aircraft maintenance is assigned to run unscheduled inspections of Boeing 737-200 aircrafts, registered in the country, as well as check such organizations that provide technical service to Istok Avia, Itek Air and Max Avia. The users of Boeing 737-200 must provide appropriate documents, legitimizing the performance of technical service, engines and airborne auxiliary power in all accordance with technical maintenance program, approved by CAD.

 

Earlier, Boeing 737-200 aircrafts, owned by Kyrgyz air companies, were listed in the air accidents three times. The last one took place on October 9 in Islamabad when Kyrgyz aircraft had to return to airport due to engine problems.

 

From http://enews.ferghana.ru/news.php?id=1411&mode=snews

[KK Lee 5]

Business in Kyrgyz under the current president is very political, and the president’s family have fingers in almost all lucrative business. Apart from poor maintenance, the reason to ban 732 could be the type is only operates by president’s political rivals.

 

[madfikri 0]

love the 732, especially during landing when the big reverse thrusters and the spoilers kicks-in. With all the exposed hydraulic and the noise level, it was such a turn-on when compared to the new engine 73s.

[Pieter C. 5]

More Kyrgyz news, and surprised our Turkish friends didn't mention this previously...

 

Pegasus partners with Kyrgyzstan

 

Friday October 16, 2009

 

Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen-based Pegasus Airlines has formed a joint venture with state-run Kyrgyzstan Airlines, Pegasus GM Sertac Haybat confirmed to ATW.

 

Pegasus will have a 49% stake in the venture to be named Kyrgyz Pegasus Airlines, which should become operational next month and will begin by offering low-fare flights from Bishkek to Russia, China, Kazakhstan and Turkey aboard 737NGs wet-leased from Pegasus. The number of aircraft has not been determined.

 

"We want to make Bishkek a hub in Central Asia for flights from east to west. Furthermore, the Bishkek-Istanbul route offers connections through our Sabiha Gokcen base to many European destinations we serve," Haybat said, adding that the JV offers a way to expand in markets protected by single-designation agreements, "which favor one certain airline in Turkey."

 

Airlines certified by Kyrgyzstan authorities (the JV will use Pegasus's Turkish AOC) are banned from operating to the EU. However, Haybat strongly dismissed assertions that Kyrgyzstan Airlines' inclusion on the EU blacklist will affect the Pegasus image negatively. "We believe the contrary," he argued. "The Pegasus aircraft and its operation by Pegasus crew and maintenance by Pegasus technicians is the seal of safety in this JV. Pegasus has an excellent track record when it comes to safety and this will be the same in the new JV."