Image: Airports of Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyz national carrier Asman Airlines has unveiled plans to launch regular air service between cities in Kyrgyzstan and the capital of Uzbekistan.

According to Uzbekistan Airports, which manages the country’s airport infrastructure, the first phase will see the launch of a route from Tamchi (the airport serving the Issyk-Kul resort area) to Tashkent, with flights tentatively scheduled to begin on 24 June.

The airline intends to gradually expand the route network between the two Central Asian republics in subsequent phases:

• in autumn – Osh – Tashkent;
• in winter – Karakol – Tashkent.

In addition, the possibility of opening direct flights between the capitals Bishkek and Tashkent is being explored.

Looking further ahead, Asman Airlines plans to develop regional connections, with potential services from Kyrgyzstan to Uzbek regional airports in Andijan, Fergana and Namangan.

Currently, the carrier’s fleet consists exclusively of De Havilland Dash 8-400 turboprop regional aircraft, but plans to acquire medium-haul Airbus A321jets.

The state-owned airline (part of the Airports of Kyrgyzstan holding company) operates flights on key domestic routes within Kyrgyzstan as well as two international routes: to Almaty (Kazakhstan) and Khujand (Tajikistan).