On May 13, 2025, another important mission of the Czech L 410 aircraft began at Kunovice Airport. This time, it headed to Southeast Asia as part of the Asia Tour marketing campaign, which spanned nearly 26,000 km and lasted almost a month. The goal was to strengthen the aircraft’s position in the rapidly developing markets of the region, establish new business contacts, and demonstrate the aircraft's operational capabilities in real-life conditions. Captain Vojtěch Karlík’s crew spent more than 77 hours in the air, and the aircraft consumed approximately 23,400 kg of fuel.
The first stop on the route was the prestigious LIMA (Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition), held from May 20 to 24 on the island of Langkawi, Malaysia. This is one of Asia’s most significant regular exhibitions in the defense and civil aviation sectors, attracting thousands of visitors and industry professionals from around the world.
“We are proud to present our L 410 aircraft at LIMA as a top-tier yet affordable solution for transportation and special missions in regions with demanding operational conditions,” says Alena Medová, Chairwoman of the Board of Aircraft Industries. “The Asia Tour builds on last year’s successful missions in Africa and the Americas, proving that our ‘Four-Ten’ is ready to serve anywhere in the world.”
After the exhibition in Malaysia, the mission continued to Thailand, where a demonstration flight was held from Don Muang Airport. The journey then proceeded to the Philippines (Manila), where four flights were conducted, each landing at a different airport. These demo flights are designed to showcase the aircraft’s operational advantages in real terrain and climate conditions. In each country, business meetings were also held with key partners, government institutions, and aviation industry representatives.
“The L 410 once again proved to be an aircraft you can rely on in any conditions. Whether we were landing in tropical heat, on an island runway, or at large, busy international airports, the aircraft performed flawlessly,” says Captain Vojtěch Karlík, who led the flight from Kunovice to the Philippines and back.
The tour covered approximately 26,000 km, with over 77 flight hours. Thanks to the modernized L 410 NG version, the journey was completed with high efficiency, safety, and comfort. It also marked the longest route ever completed with the NG variant.
“The Asia Tour is another key milestone in building the L 410 brand in the dynamically developing Asian region,” adds Medová. “Our aircraft have already proven their resilience and versatility in Africa and Latin America – and now we’ve demonstrated their capabilities in Asia as well.”
The Czech-made L 410 is a globally recognized multi-purpose turboprop aircraft known for its ability to operate in challenging climatic and terrain conditions. Its design allows for takeoff and landing on short and unpaved runways, making it ideal for remote areas with limited infrastructure. Produced in passenger, cargo, medical, and special mission variants, the L 410 is valued for its robustness, reliability, low operating costs, and ease of maintenance. The L 410 NG version additionally offers upgraded avionics, longer range, and enhanced comfort for both crew and passengers.
The success of the entire mission was also made possible by the strong support of the OMNIPOL Group, which has owned Aircraft Industries since 2022. Thanks to this strategic backing, the Kunovice-based aircraft manufacturer is able to expand its activities in foreign markets, invest in product development and modernization, and strengthen the global presence of the L 410 brand.