AIR Tashkent and US-based manufacturer Samson Sky have announced plans to introduce at least 300 Switchblade flying cars to Uzbekistan under a memorandum of understanding valued at more than $60 million.

According to a press release from the private aviation services provider, the agreement outlines joint efforts to support sales of the Switchblade Flying Sports Car in Uzbekistan, The Caspian Post reports, citing bne IntelliNews.

The memorandum was signed during the opening of AIR Tashkent’s Easy to Fly Academy, a new training centre for aviation professionals. The partnership covers cooperation in sales, pilot training and maintenance services.

As part of the deal, AIR Tashkent intends to make a bulk purchase of a portion of the 300 vehicles and use them for training pilots seeking personal and commercial licences.

Anna V. Grebenshchikova, a former aerobatic pilot and Samson Sky ambassador, said the initiative grew out of a 2024 concept to develop private aviation in Uzbekistan. She noted that the introduction of innovative aircraft such as the Switchblade marks a new step for the country.

Under the agreement, Samson Sky will provide pilot training assistance using its proprietary flight simulators and will also train mechanics to service the aircraft. The US company will collaborate with AIR Tashkent and Uzbek authorities to certify the vehicle for both road and flight use in the country.

The Switchblade has already completed flight testing in the United States and is entering production there. Samson Sky founder and chief executive Sam Bousfield said the aircraft could significantly enhance regional mobility in Uzbekistan, supporting faster travel for business and government purposes on both domestic and international routes.

The hybrid-electric Switchblade, which completed its first official flight in November 2023, is designed to function as both a sports car and a light aircraft. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in five seconds, reach a top ground speed of 125 mph (201 km/h), and cruise in the air at 160 mph (257 km/h). Operating on premium automotive fuel, it has a flight range of up to 500 miles (805 km) at 13,000 feet on a single tank.

In road mode, the vehicle’s wings and tail surfaces are enclosed for safety and insurance compliance. It is compact enough to fit inside a standard garage and can be driven on public roads to a nearby airport. Conversion from driving to flight configuration takes approximately three minutes at the push of a button, according to the companies.

AIR Tashkent positions itself as Uzbekistan’s first private provider of high-quality individual aviation services, offering both aircraft maintenance and charter operations.