Uzbekistan and Indonesia Sign Deal to Expand Air Travel
Uzbekistan and Indonesia have entered into a wide-ranging aviation agreement aimed at expanding air connectivity between the two countries. The deal, signed during recent negotiations in Jakarta, removes longstanding restrictions and significantly increases flight rights for both nations.
Under the new arrangement, the two sides agreed to lift all limits on the number of airlines permitted to operate between Uzbekistan and Indonesia. Airlines designated by Uzbekistan can now serve not only Jakarta but also a broader network of Indonesian cities, including Denpasar (Bali), Surabaya, Medan, Yogyakarta, Majalengka, Banda Aceh, Tanjung Pandan and Lombok.
Conversely, carriers appointed by Indonesia will have the right to operate flights to all of Uzbekistan’s international airports.
Significant Boost to Number of Flights
A major highlight of the agreement is the sharp increase in flight frequencies. The number of weekly flights allowed for each country’s airlines will rise from 3 to 28, comprising 14 passenger and 14 cargo services. This brings the combined total to 56 flights per week, marking a major step forward in bilateral air services.
The deal also removes capacity restrictions, enabling airlines to operate aircraft without limitations on the number of passengers or the amount of cargo.
Additionally, the countries agreed to allow code-sharing on up to half of all flights on the Denpasar (Bali) route, creating further flexibility for carriers and travellers alike.
In a significant move for cargo transport, both sides granted their airlines third, fourth and fifth freedom rights for freight flights, allowing greater operational flexibility for international logistics and trade.
Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Transport expressed optimism that the agreement will spur greater activity in the aviation sector. Authorities hope to attract more airlines to operate on these routes, encourage growth in pilgrimage tourism—particularly through the Umrah Plus programme, and increase the overall volume of both passenger and cargo traffic.
Kursiv also reports that from October 15, 2025, Malaysian budget airline AirAsia X will begin operating direct flights between Tashkent and Kuala Lumpur.
