Dubai-based flydubai has launched regular flights between Dubai and Tashkent.
Flydubai launched a flight between Dubai and Tashkent, becoming the first airline from the UAE to offer regular direct flights to Uzbekistan.
The first flight took off on March 11 from Terminal 3 of Dubai International Airport (DXB) and was solemnly met at Tashkent International Airport (TAS).
A senior delegation from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), led by His Excellency Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri, UAE Minister of Economy, arrived on board an inaugural flight to Tashkent. The delegation also included representatives from the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, other trade organizations and media representatives from the UAE. In Tashkent, the delegation was welcomed by the Deputy Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade of Uzbekistan, Shukhrat Vafaev and His Excellency Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Arab Emirates to the Republic of Uzbekistan, Mohammed Al Mikherbi.
Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri emphasized the importance of this event and noted that the country remains the world leader in the field of air transportation and an important global hub due to the developed network of international airports, world-famous air carriers and a wide geography of flights. The Minister also said that civil aviation continues to be one of the most important elements of the UAE strategy and the country's leadership to strengthen economic relations and establish ties with various developing countries. This industry serves as one of the main channels for increasing trade and investment, tourism and cultural exchange.
The start of direct flights between Dubai and Tashkent marks an important step in strengthening economic and trade ties between the two countries, which will expand the number of UAE economic partners in Central Asia. This will allow the business community of both countries to deepen interaction and more often make business trips that open up new opportunities for new mutually beneficial projects and increase trade between the UAE and Uzbekistan. The Minister also emphasized the leading role of flydubai in the development of flights between the UAE and popular international destinations, as well as new routes, which, in turn, contributes to the growth of the national economy.
Flydubai Executive Director Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer for flydubai, said: “Uzbekistan is an important trading partner for the UAE. The launch of flights to Tashkent represents a significant milestone in strengthening trade ties between our countries. We are pleased to be the first air carrier from "The UAE, which launched direct flights between Dubai and Tashkent. Opening another market in Central Asia, where there was a shortage of direct flights with Dubai, we support the strategy of the Government of Dubai to develop tourism and trade."
Flights along the new route will be operated by code sharing with Emirates. When booking flights on flydubai flights by code sharing, Emirates passengers are provided with free meals and Emirates baggage allowance in both economy and business class. The partnership between flydubai and Emirates was announced in 2017 and continues to expand due to the growing demand for passengers. Clients of both companies have already felt the benefits of the partnership, such as access to an expanded global network of routes, the convenience of traveling on a single ticket with baggage to their final destination, a combined loyalty program and comfortable connections in Dubai.
flydubai will fly to Tashkent five times a week from Terminal 3 of Dubai International Airport. From May 31, 2019 flights will become daily. After the start of air transportation to Tashkent, flydubai will operate 33 flights a week to seven cities in Central Asia, including Ashgabat (Turkmenistan), Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan), Dushanbe (Tajikistan), Almaty, Astana and Shymkent (Kazakhstan). The flydubai route network covers more than 90 destinations in 47 countries.
