Islamabad (TDI): Uzbekistan Airways has launched its first-ever direct flight from Tashkent to Islamabad, marking an important development in Pakistan-Uzbekistan relations and regional connectivity.
The inaugural flight, carrying 250 passengers, landed at Islamabad International Airport on Saturday, June 14, and was welcomed with a formal ceremony.
This reception was attended by ambassadors from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Azerbaijan, as well as officials from the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA), Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC), and Uzbekistan Airways.
A cake-cutting ceremony was also held on this day to celebrate the new route. The check-in for Flight HY466 was organized at Zone 1, which was decorated with balloons and a festive setup. The flight departed from Islamabad at 1:09 PM, carrying 126 passengers.
Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Alisher Tukhtaev, described the launch of the Islamabad-Tashkent route as a historic moment. He said the direct flight would help increase business opportunities, enhance tourism, and promote stronger people-to-people ties between the two countries.
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“This is a major step forward in bringing our nations closer,” the ambassador stated. The new flight will operate every Saturday and joins the two existing direct flights between Lahore and Tashkent, which run twice a week.
Ambassador Tukhtaev said that this expansion shows us the growing partnership and collaboration between the two countries and supports Uzbekistan’s broader strategy of improving ties with South Asia under President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s vision.
The launch also supports the goals of the Central and South Asia Connectivity Initiative, which aims to strengthen cooperation in trade, energy, and infrastructure. Officials noted that easier travel will benefit students, pilgrims, businesspeople, and tourists alike.
It will also give Pakistani travelers better access to historic Uzbek cities such as Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, while giving Uzbek visitors the chance to explore Pakistan’s diverse landscapes and cultural sites.
The Pakistan Airports Authority welcomed the launch of the flight and reaffirmed its support for improved international travel options. The authority said it is committed to boosting regional connectivity and making Pakistan a hub for cooperation across Central and South Asia.
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