Today - September 1 - the Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and a summit in the “SCO plus” format are being held in Bishkek, chaired by the President of Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Japarov.
Yesterday - August 31 - the opening ceremony of the IV World Nomad Games also took place in Bishkek.
On August 30-31, leaders and high-ranking state officials from a number of foreign countries, as well as heads of international organizations, arrived in Kyrgyzstan.
It is interesting to know which planes the heads of state and representatives traveled to Kyrgyzstan with?
Modern.az website, citing foreign media, provides information about the planes that high-ranking guests flew to Bishkek.
The information is based on data available in open sources and aircraft tracking services.
Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev flew to Kyrgyzstan with the government-owned “Airbus A330-243” aircraft. This aircraft belongs to the government of Kazakhstan and is used for transporting the country's high-level leadership.
“Airbus A330-200” is a wide-p, twin-engine long-range passenger aircraft.
Developed by “Airbus”, the aircraft features a “fly-by-wire” remote control system and electronic cockpit architecture. The “Airbus A330-200” aircraft is distinguished by its shorter fuselage, while also having a larger fuel tank and less passenger capacity. The aircraft was developed as a competitor to the “Boeing 767-300” model.
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Kyrgyzstan on August 31 with the Presidential aircraft “Il-96-300PU(M)”. The aircraft is operated by the “Rossiya” Special Flight Detachment, which is subordinate to the Russian President's Administration of Affairs. The aircraft manufacturer is the Voronezh Aviation Plant.
This airliner is one of the newest aircraft in the Presidential aviation detachment.
According to Russian media, the “Il-96-300PU(M)” is a wide-p, four-engine long-range aircraft. Its length is 55 meters, wingspan is 60 meters, maximum speed is approximately 900 km/h, and flight range is more than 10 thousand kilometers.
The Presidential aircraft has separate cabins, a conference hall, a recreation area, negotiation rooms, a medical unit, and protected communication systems.
Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, accompanied by his wife Emine Erdoğan, flew to Kyrgyzstan with the Turkish President's “Airbus A330-243 Prestige” aircraft.
The aircraft is a modification of the “Airbus A330-200” model and was re-equipped by a US company to suit the president's needs.
According to Turkish media, the aircraft was brought to Istanbul on August 29, 2014. This coincided with one day after Erdoğan's inauguration as President of Turkey.
Initially white, the aircraft was painted in the red and white colors of the Turkish flag within three days. A crescent and star image was also added to the tail section of the aircraft.
The aircraft was first used as a Presidential aircraft on September 1, 2014, during Erdoğan's first official visit to Northern Cyprus.
“Airbus A330-200” is a wide-p long-range passenger aircraft and can travel at least 15 thousand kilometers without refueling. In the Presidential version, the aircraft is designed for 90 passengers and is equipped with meeting rooms, as well as rest rooms.
According to Turkish media, the price of the “Airbus A330-200” aircraft was approximately 221 million dollars at the 2014 exchange rate. An additional at least 100 million dollars was spent to adapt it to the President's needs.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and his wife Mehriban Aliyeva traveled to Kyrgyzstan on August 31 with the Azerbaijani government-owned “Boeing 767-32L(ER)” VIP aircraft.
The aircraft is operated by Azerbaijan's national air carrier “Azerbaijan Airlines” (AZAL).
The aircraft initially carried the registration number 4K-BAKU-1 in 2010, and since 2011, it has been flying with the current registration number 4K-AI01.
“Boeing 767-300ER” is a wide-p, long-range passenger aircraft. It can travel approximately 11 thousand kilometers without refueling. In the standard passenger version, it can carry up to 350 passengers. In the VIP version, the number of seats has been significantly reduced.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenka landed in Kyrgyzstan on August 31 with the Presidential aircraft “Boeing 767-300ER”. The aircraft is operated by Belarus's national air carrier “Belavia” on behalf of the government and is effectively assigned to the President's use.
The aircraft was first delivered to Turkmenistan's “Turkmenistan Airlines” in October 2004. Operated on behalf of the Turkmenistan government until 2012, the aircraft was transferred to the use of the Belarusian government that year. Since then, it has been used for Lukashenka's trips. This airliner is considered Belarus's “number 1 aircraft”.
According to reports in foreign media, in August 2024, the US Treasury Department included this “Boeing 767-300ER” aircraft in its sanctions list as property of interest to Lukashenka. The United Kingdom had previously – in 2021 – imposed similar restrictions on servicing this aircraft.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif arrived in Kyrgyzstan with the government-owned “Airbus A319-112” aircraft.
The aircraft is operated by the Pakistan Air Force and is part of the 12th “Burraqs” VIP squadron of the 35th Composite Transport Aviation Wing, based at Nur Khan Airbase.
Before being included in the Pakistan government's fleet, the aircraft was operated by various foreign airlines.
“Airbus A319-112” is a narrow-p, short-to-medium-range passenger aircraft. It has a flight range of approximately 6800 kilometers. In its standard passenger configuration, it can carry up to 156 passengers. In the VIP version for the government, the number of seats is significantly less.
This type of aircraft is used for transporting Pakistan's state leaders - the President, Prime Minister, and Chief of Air Staff.
Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev flew to Kyrgyzstan with a “Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner” aircraft.
The aircraft is operated by the government of Uzbekistan and is on the balance sheet of the state-owned “Uzbekistan Airways” airline.
Uzbekistan specifically ordered the “Boeing 787-8” aircraft in a VIP configuration for the head of state. The aircraft was manufactured by the “Boeing” corporation in 2018.
“Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner” is a wide-p, long-range passenger aircraft. It can travel up to 14 thousand kilometers without refueling. Its fuselage is made of modern composite materials, which increases fuel efficiency.
In the standard passenger version, the aircraft can carry up to 242 passengers, but in the VIP version, the number of seats is significantly less due to the presence of representative and living compartments.
Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon landed in Kyrgyzstan on August 31 with the “Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner” aircraft, used by the government and operated by “Somon Air” airline.
“Somon Air” is Tajikistan's national air carrier, established in 2008.
This is not a new aircraft. The aircraft was previously Mexico's presidential aircraft. Mexico sold it to the Tajikistan government for 92 million dollars in April 2023.
After the agreement, the aircraft was re-registered in San Bernardino, USA, underwent technical maintenance, received a new paint job, and acquired the registration number EY-001.
On May 16, 2023, President Emomali Rahmon made his first official visit to Beijing with this aircraft.
“Boeing 787-8” is a wide-p, long-range aircraft and can travel up to 14 thousand kilometers without landing.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan flew to Kyrgyzstan on August 31 with an “Airbus A320-200” aircraft belonging to “FlyOne Armenia” airline.
“FlyOne Armenia” is an Armenian low-cost airline established in 2021 and based at Zvartnots Airport in Yerevan.
The aircraft is a narrow-p passenger jetliner included in the “Airbus A320” configuration, designed for short and medium-haul flights. As of the end of August 2026, the airline's fleet included seven “Airbus A320” and two “Airbus A321” aircraft in operation.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in the Kyrgyz capital with an “Airbus A321-200” aircraft belonging to Iran's “Meraj Airlines” airline.
“Meraj Airlines” is an Iranian company operating in the passenger transportation market since 2010. The airline operates both regular and charter flights within Iran and abroad.
“Airbus A321-200” is an extended-fuselage model of the A320 configuration. The “Meraj Airlines” fleet includes several aircraft of this type, including those with registration numbers EP-SSM and EP-SSN.
Iranian heads of state traditionally lease aircraft from major Iranian air carriers, including “Meraj Airlines”, for official visits to foreign countries.
Vietnam's Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan arrived in Kyrgyzstan with an aircraft of “China Southern Airlines”, China's largest air carrier.
The Vietnamese delegation does not have its own air fleet for long-distance state visits of this scale.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Kyrgyzstan with a “Boeing 777-300ER” aircraft.
This is one of two aircraft used by India's high-level leadership – the president, vice-president, and prime minister – for transportation. These flights are known by the call sign “India One / Air India One”.
The aircraft previously belonged to “Air India” and carried the registration number VT-ALW. It was later re-equipped for transporting state leaders and has been used in the VIP configuration of the Indian government with the registration number K7067 since October 2020.
The aircraft was manufactured in 2017. “Air India” accepted it with the registration number VT-ALW in early 2018. However, it was withdrawn from service on June 29, 2018, and sent to Fort Worth, USA, for re-equipment.
The conversion of the aircraft to a VIP version for the government lasted from July 2018 to October 2020. On October 23, 2020, it flew from the USA to Delhi with the registration number K7067 and was handed over to the Indian government.
According to Indian sources, the aircraft is equipped with a LAIRCM (Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures) defense complex and a self-defense system. This system is designed to detect missile threats and counter infrared-guided missiles.
Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh flew to Kyrgyzstan with a “Boeing 737-8 MAX” aircraft belonging to “MIAT Mongolian Airlines” airline.
The aircraft was named “Tolui Khaan” in honor of Tolui, the youngest son of Genghis Khan, a commander and ruler of one of the four uluses of the Mongol Empire.
The aircraft's first flight took place on January 16, 2019.
The aircraft is equipped with two “CFM International LEAP-1B27” engines. It was leased to “MIAT” from “Avolon” company. The official handover ceremony took place on January 30, 2019, at “Boeing Field” airport in Seattle.
This was the first of three “Boeing 737 MAX” aircraft ordered by “MIAT”.
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Kyrgyzstan on August 30 with a “Boeing 747-8I” aircraft belonging to “Air China” airline.
“Boeing 747-8I” is the largest and most modern modification of the “Boeing 747” configuration. Aircraft of this configuration are known as the “Queen of the Skies”.
“Boeing 747-8I” is the world's longest series-produced passenger aircraft. Its fuselage length reaches 76 meters, and its maximum takeoff weight is 442 tons. It can travel up to 14 thousand kilometers without refueling, which allows for intercontinental flights without intermediate landings.
The aircraft was delivered to “Air China” airline on December 29, 2014. In 2016, it was adapted to a VIP configuration in Hamburg, Germany.
Currently, this aircraft is used by “Air China” for foreign visits of the Chairman of the People's Republic of China.
A.Gafarli
