Uzbek Carrier Air Samarkand To Offer Direct Flights To Israel

Uzbekistan’s start-up airline, Air Samarkand, has announced the launch of regular flights to Israel, Central Asia+ Aero reports. Starting on March 30, the airline will operate a weekly route connecting Samarkand with Tel Aviv. The flights, with a duration of approximately 5.5 hours, will be serviced by an Airbus A321ceo narrowbody aircraft.

Air Samarkand’s new service to Israel will join existing routes operated by other Uzbek airlines. Qanot Sharq, a privately-held carrier, currently offers direct flights from Samarkand to Tel Aviv. Additionally, Uzbekistan Airways, a state-owned airline, provides flights from the capital, Tashkent, to Tel Aviv.

The airline indicated potential for further expansion, with additional destinations expected to be included in its summer schedule. The timeline for new aircraft deliveries will influence these plans. Currently, Air Samarkand operates two Airbus A321 aircraft (ceo and neo versions) and one Airbus A330-300 widebody. The airline is prioritizing the expansion of its A321neo fleet but is also exploring the acquisition of another A330, according to a spokesperson.

During its first year of operations in 2024, Air Samarkand carried 152,600 passengers, positioning it as the fourth-largest airline in Uzbekistan by passenger traffic. The airline currently offers regular flights between Samarkand and Tashkent, as well as international routes to destinations such as Istanbul, Jeddah, Medina, Sharm El-Sheikh, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, Nha Trang, and Phu Quoc.

Air Samarkand will also be a participant in the MRO Central Asia 2025 conference and exhibition on aircraft maintenance, taking place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on March 18–19.