Oman Air Cargo leverages bellyhold capacity on Central Asia and Black Sea routes

Image: Oman Air

Following its recent launch of passenger services connecting Muscat with Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and Sochi, Russia, Oman Air Cargo is positioning its bellyhold space to capture growing regional freight demand across Central Asia and the Black Sea corridor.

While passenger traffic driven by tourism and business travel formed the primary rationale for the network additions, the underlying bellyhold capacity presents a commercial opportunity for freight forwarders operating between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Central Asia, and Russia.

EXPANDING THE CENTRAL ASIAN TRADE CORRIDOR VIA TASHKENT

Operating without a fleet of dedicated maindeck freighters, the air freight division of Oman’s flag carrier relies entirely on the cargo capacity of its passenger fleet to serve regional trade lanes. The deployment of Boeing 737MAX-8 aircraft on the three-times-weekly Tashkent and once-weekly Sochi routes unlocks structured bellyhold access for high-value, time-sensitive, and temperature-controlled shipments.

The addition of direct flights between Muscat (MCT) and Tashkent (TAS) creates a strategic air freight bridge into Central Asia’s largest consumer market. Beyond serving bilateral commerce between Oman and Uzbekistan, the route offers forwarders access to broader GCC transit networks via Oman Air’s Muscat hub.

The expansion of service capabilities reflects the strong overall momentum across Uzbekistan’s aviation hub. In the first half of 2026, Tashkent International Airport’s cargo terminal processed over 48,000 tonnes of cargo and mail—a 33.2% year-on-year increase.

The primary commodity focus for the Tashkent corridor centers on cold-chain logistics and perishables. Uzbekistan’s agricultural export potential, combined with the Gulf region’s ongoing demand for fresh produce, provides a natural southbound freight flow.

In return, northbound bellyhold space supports the movement of pharmaceuticals, industrial spare parts, high-value consumer goods, and express shipments originating from regional distribution centers across the Middle East.

According to Michael Duggan, Head of Cargo at Oman Air, expanding bellyhold capacity into high-growth trade sectors allows the carrier to offer greater routing flexibility and improved market access for specialized commodities requiring rapid transit across Asia.

UNLOCKING NICHE CAPACITY TO SOCHI AND THE BLACK SEA

Complementing the Central Asian expansion, the weekly service to Sochi (AER) provides a specialized entry point into the Black Sea region. Joining Oman Air’s established Moscow services, the Sochi route expands the carrier’s footprint in the Russian market. 

BELLYHOLD STRATEGY AND FORWARDER IMPACT

As trade ties between Central Asia, the Black Sea basin, and the Middle East continue to strengthen, the availability of scheduled bellyhold capacity on the Tashkent and Sochi sectors provides forwarders with efficient routing alternatives that bypass traditional, highly congested hub gateways.

Established in 2009, Oman Air Cargo utilizes a fleet of Boeing 737MAX and 787-9 aircraft to connect goods across more than 200 destinations worldwide via its Muscat hub.