Central Asian aviation news

Daniyar Bostonov, director of Kyrgyzstan's State Agency of Civil Aviation, announced plans to build a new cargo airport in Manas city. According to him, it will be part of a transport and logistics hub near the route of the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway and will be able to receive aircraft up to the Boeing 747. The investor, timeline and cost have not been named.

The draft strategy for developing domestic passenger transport in Uzbekistan to 2030 provides for three electrified rail links between stations and airports in Tashkent, Urgench and Bukhara. For two of them, in Tashkent and Bukhara, commercial bank loans of $68 million are provisionally proposed for 2029–2030. The document is open for discussion and has not been approved.

Uzbekistan's Centrum Air on 28 October 2026 operated the first flight of its Tashkent–Mattala Rajapaksa airport (Sri Lanka) programme. Flights are planned twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, in the winter season. Royal Spence Aviation has been named as the carrier's local representative.

First Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Nurlybek Nalibayev chaired a meeting on the development of Petropavlovsk airport. According to the government, the airport served 132,500 passengers in 2025, 6.5 times the 2021 figure. Plans include runway reconstruction and development of international routes. Timelines, costs and funding have not been announced.

Samarkand airport has announced changes on international routes for the winter season. flydubai plans to resume regular Dubai flights on 30 December, three times a week; Loong Air has flown to Xi'an four times a week since 13 October; Qanot Sharq and Centrum Air plan to raise Moscow frequencies. Dates for the Moscow increases have not been named.

At its meeting on 29 October 2026 the Government of Tajikistan considered the National Civil Aviation Security Programme for 2026–2030 and adopted decisions after discussion. The text, budget and implementation deadlines have not been published. A previous programme, for 2025–2030, was approved in August 2024; how the two documents relate has not been disclosed.

Russia's Nordwind Airlines will begin Kazan–Fergana flights on 25 November 2026. Flights are planned once a week on an Airbus A321: from Kazan on Wednesday, from Fergana on Thursday. The length of the programme and ticket-sale terms are not given in available publications.

Uzbekistan's draft strategy for developing domestic passenger transport to 2030 proposes the "Bir Yol" platform, where trips by air, rail and bus can be found, booked and paid for in one order. Launch is proposed for 1 January 2028, with a pilot on the Tashkent–Urgench–Khiva route from 1 July 2027. The document is open for discussion and has not been approved.

Uzbekistan Airports said two more Pegasus Airlines destinations, Karshi and Nukus, are under discussion. On 28 October the carrier announced flights from Istanbul only to Bukhara, Andijan and Termez. Dates, frequencies and ticket sales for Karshi and Nukus have not been announced.

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said on the Cheeky Pint podcast on 27 October that network planning chief Patrick Quayle visited Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan this year. The airline cannot fly there today because it cannot overfly Russia, but "this could work down the road". No routes have been announced.

S7 Airlines operated its first Novosibirsk–Malé flight on 30 October on an Airbus A320 with a technical stop at Termez airport for refuelling and ground handling. According to Russia's Transport Ministry, flights operate twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays. Earlier, a stop at Jaipur had been named for this route.

Air Astana operated an Almaty–Tashkent flight on 29 October on an Airbus A321LR with high-speed satellite Wi-Fi. The system is being introduced with SES, and the equipment was installed by the airline's own technicians. Internet is free for all passengers until 31 January 2027, and the remaining A321LR aircraft are to be equipped in stages through 2027.

In his 28 October Address, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said great hopes are placed on the private company Air Cargo (Alatau Air Cargo), but there are no decisions or results yet. The next day Deputy Transport Minister Talgat Lastayev said the company has signed an aircraft supply contract: the first Airbus A340 is expected in November, the second in March, and the fleet is to reach ten aircraft.

KazMunayGas, KazMunayGas-Aero and Exolum Aviation signed a tripartite agreement on the main terms of strategic cooperation. The sides are considering building refuelling complexes and storage and modernising existing facilities for Jet A-1 under JIG requirements. Projects and investment will be defined after an economic analysis.

Uzbekistan Airports reported that the country's airports handled 12,662,922 passengers in January–September 2026, 13% more than a year earlier. Growth was 16% in the first half. Karshi and Namangan showed the sharpest declines, while Andijan and Termez grew fastest. Cargo rose 27% to 84.8 thousand tonnes.

Air Astana and China Southern Airlines signed an agreement in Astana on 30 October providing for coordinated schedules and operating days, expanded codeshare and joint marketing. Joint work will start on Almaty–Guangzhou and Almaty–Urumqi. No separate company is being created.

Kyrgyzstan's First Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Daniyar Amangeldiev met in Bishkek on 28 October with James Hogan, Chairman of Knighthood Global and former head of Etihad Airways. They discussed international air links, airport modernisation and the competitiveness of airlines. No agreements or specific projects were reported.

Daniyar Bostonov, head of Kyrgyzstan's State Civil Aviation Agency, said on 27 October that an audit to leave the UK aviation safety list has been set for April 2027, and that preparation for a US audit is planned for 2028–2029. Direct flights to the United States are not currently planned; the agency aims to obtain the approvals in advance.

Turkish low-cost carrier Pegasus has announced flights from Istanbul to three Uzbek cities: Bukhara from 14 December 2026, Andijan from 18 December and Termez from 1 March 2027. The flights will operate from Sabiha Gökçen airport on Airbus A320 and A321 family aircraft. Sales are open, with fares from USD 99.

Low-cost carrier FlyArystan operated its first FS7989 flight from Astana to Yining on 26 October on an Airbus A320. The flight took about 2 hours 25 minutes. Services are announced three times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. It is the airline's second route to Yining after Almaty.

In his 28 October Address, Tokayev said construction of Astana's new airport will begin next year with one of the world's largest companies in the industry. The next day Prime Minister Bektenov instructed that construction of the capital's second airport begin with the start of the building season. The partner, budget, capacity and site have not been named.

Kazakhstan's Aviation Administration held a meeting in Astana with a delegation of the US Transportation Security Administration. The sides discussed Air Astana's security programme, passenger data transfer to the TSA Secure Flight system and an airport security assessment before flights begin. No approval decision or launch date for US flights has been announced.

Aero Engines Central Asia, a conference and exhibition on engine MRO, takes place in Tashkent on 18 November. Fleets in the region are growing, while engine repair capacity, according to the organisers, will not appear soon. Here is how the event can help operators, lessors and MRO providers.

Vietnam's Sun PhuQuoc Airways has started flying between Almaty and Phu Quoc island. The first flight arrived in Almaty on 25 October 2026. Until 26 December flights operate three times a week, then five times a week until 27 March 2027 on an Airbus A321.

In two weeks of October, five countries in the region announced new airports, routes and aircraft purchases. The tenth Central Asia Aviation Summit on 17 November in Tashkent brings together those who answer these questions: carriers, airports, regulators, lessors and manufacturers. Here is why it may be useful and how to prepare.

Air Astana Group says it opened eight new destinations from Astana in 2026 and that its network from the capital now covers 32 destinations, including announced ones. Weekly international flights rose to 116 from 99. The number of aircraft based in Astana is targeted to reach 22 in 2027.

A foundation stone has been laid for a local airfield in Khovaling district of Tajikistan's Khatlon region. The project is led by local entrepreneurs, with a planned runway length of 1,200 metres. Cost, timeline, intended flights and the operator have not been named.

French Ambassador to Kazakhstan Sylvain Guiogue said France and Kazakhstan are considering resuming direct air service. Good news is possible in 2027, but there is no confirmed plan. The decision rests with airlines, not governments.

ICAO Aviation Security Week took place in Astana on 20–22 October 2026, the first time Kazakhstan has hosted it. Beyond ICAO's agreement with Astana airport and Kazakhstan's ICAO Council bid, panels covered the cost of owning screening equipment, workforce training, cyber threats and cargo security. Kazakhstan also held talks with Canada, AFCAC and LACAC. No decisions or procurement were announced on these panels.

Nurlan Sauranbayev and Adefunke Adeyemi, Secretary General of the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), discussed possible air services, experience sharing and professional training. The meeting took place on 22 October 2026. No flights, countries, cities or carriers were named.

Nurlan Sauranbayev and Lisa Setlakwe discussed airport regulation and the development of small aviation in Astana. The sides expressed interest in cooperation. The meeting took place on 20 October 2026 during ICAO Aviation Security Week. No documents, projects or timelines were named.

In Astana, during ICAO Aviation Security Week on 20 October 2026, Talgat Lastayev and Jaime Binder discussed cooperation and further work on a memorandum between the Eurasian Civil Aviation Conference (EACAC) and the Latin American Civil Aviation Commission (LACAC). The memorandum has not been signed and no new routes have been announced.

India's Larsen & Toubro announced on 19 October 2026 that it has received a Limited Notice to Proceed from the PPP consortium developing the New Tashkent International Airport. Initial engineering, detailed design and procurement preparation have begun. Construction on site will start after a full Notice to Proceed.

Kyrgyzstan's First Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Daniyar Amangeldiev, and Qatar's Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Saeed, discussed the need for direct air service between the two countries. The meeting took place on 24 October 2026. No carrier, airports or dates were named.

The akim of Kazakhstan's Atyrau region was presented with a concept for a new airport terminal developed by ECADI together with Kazakh specialists. It envisages 16,400 sq m, two main levels and jet bridges. The budget, investor and timeline were not named in reports.

Air Astana operated its first flights to Salalah (Oman): from Almaty on 23 October and from Astana on 24 October 2026. Flights use an Airbus A320 once a week from each city: from Almaty on Fridays, from Astana on Saturdays. According to the Civil Aviation Committee, the first flight from Astana carried 140 passengers.

Pakistan and Turkmenistan plan to resume cargo and commercial air service in the near future, according to Pakistan's Ambassador to Turkmenistan, Faryal Legari, in an article marking the 35th anniversary of Turkmenistan's independence. Routes, airlines and dates have not been named.

Boston Consulting Group experts Suresh Subudhi and Vasily Triandafilidi told Gazeta.uz what Uzbekistan needs to become an independent aviation hub: alignment between airlines, airports, the regulator and the state, a shared master plan, and development of MRO and cargo. They named ticket price as the main constraint on domestic flights: about 25 days of average earnings, against about four in Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan's Deputy Minister of Transport Talgat Lastayev said on 20 October 2026 that a feasibility study and design-estimate documentation are being prepared for the new Astana airport, with survey work under way. Construction of mega-projects, he said, usually takes five years or more. Exact timelines, capacity, location and budget have not been named.

Kazakhstan's Ministry of Transport has drafted an order on a pilot of AI-based biometric passenger authentication at Astana airport. Deputy Minister Talgat Lastayev said the project is being developed with SITA as a public-private partnership, with rollout expected in 2027.

Kazakhstan's Deputy Minister of Transport Talgat Lastayev said at ICAO Aviation Security Week that the final report from US auditors is expected in November, and Kazakhstan hopes to obtain the right to operate flights to the United States by the end of 2026. The first direct flights, he said, could open in 2027, with New York — Astana under consideration.

At ICAO Aviation Security Week in Astana, ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar said Kazakhstan's candidacy for the ICAO Council is welcome and reflects the region's voice. The election will take place at an extraordinary ICAO Assembly in Montreal on 19–20 November 2026. Central Asia is currently not represented on the Council.

On the first day of ICAO Aviation Security Week in Astana, 20 October 2026, the International Civil Aviation Organization and Astana International Airport signed a management services agreement (Management Service Agreement). The subject, term and conditions of the agreement have not been disclosed.

Air Astana's first Boeing 787-9 (EI-KZA) is in factory flight testing in Charleston: its first test flight took place on 1 October. The airline expects three aircraft in December 2026, January and August 2027. US flights are planned for the second half of 2027, with New York JFK named as the first destination.

In Astana during ICAO Aviation Security Week, Michael Daniel, CEO of the Civil Aviation Authority of Kazakhstan, and Sidney Koh, Senior Director for Aviation Development at the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), discussed extending the existing memorandum and training Kazakhstani specialists at the Singapore Aviation Academy. The Singaporean side proposed an annual dialogue between the agencies' leadership.

Kyrgyzstan's Manas International Airport and Germany's TRIWO Hahn airport signed a cooperation agreement and became sister airports. The sides cited development of passenger and cargo services, exchange of experience and attracting airlines. Airports of Kyrgyzstan announced it on 21 October 2026.

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov signed decree No. 349 on 16 October 2026, lifting the moratorium on registering new airlines and issuing them operator certificates. The restriction had been in force since November 2024. The decree takes effect 10 days after official publication.

Russian government decree No. 646 bans exports of aviation kerosene from 1 June to 30 November 2026 inclusive. Supplies under intergovernmental agreements are exempt. According to Uzbekistan's Ministry of Energy, deliveries to the republic are not affected. About five weeks remain before the ban expires.

Uzbekistan Airways is increasing the frequency of its Tashkent–Islamabad flights to three a week. Flights HY465 and HY466 operate on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The first flight under the new schedule is on 28 October. The schedule runs to the end of the autumn–winter navigation period.

On 19 October in Astana, during ICAO Aviation Security Week, the Coordination Group on Aviation Security of Central Asia and the Caucasus held a meeting. Eight states and Russia as an observer discussed drone threats, improvised explosive devices and flying near armed-conflict zones.

Turkmenistan Airlines is moving to its winter schedule and changing frequencies on six international routes. Istanbul, Kazan, Ho Chi Minh City, Seoul and Milan get more flights, and Delhi gets fewer. The changes begin on 25 October.

On 20 October, KazMunayGas-Aero refuelled a Boeing 747-400F cargo aircraft of US carrier National Airlines at Aktobe for the first time. The into-plane refuelling agreement now covers six Kazakhstan airports: Astana, Almaty, Karaganda, Shymkent, Turkistan and Aktobe.

Kazakhstan's Vice Minister of Transport Talgat Lastayev held a meeting on preparing civil aviation for the 2026–2027 autumn–winter period. Airports must prepare infrastructure, equipment, staff and reagent stocks in advance.

Uzbekistan's Qanot Sharq has announced Bishkek as a new destination. Regular flights from Tashkent begin on 17 November and operate once a week, on Tuesdays.

From 26 October 2026, FlyArystan starts direct flights between Astana and Yining (Kulja) in Xinjiang. Flights operate three times a week. For the airline, this is a second route to Yining after Almaty and a fourth Chinese city in its network.

From 1 October 2026, Turkmenistan processes visas for foreigners through a single electronic system. A tourist e-visa no longer requires an invitation from a local travel agency. For airlines, airports and tour operators, this is the first easing of the entry barrier in years in a market served by one national carrier and a handful of foreign airlines.

The Air Astana Group fleet has grown to 64 aircraft with the arrival of a new Airbus A321neo, registered EI-KDL. Its first commercial flight is scheduled for 5 November 2026 from Almaty to Astana.

Under a package of 54 agreements between Uzbekistan and the United States, GE Aerospace plans to supply engines for new Uzbekistan Airways aircraft. Separately, Uzbekistan's Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade and a GE Aerospace vice president agreed to jointly develop training programmes for aviation specialists.

Kazakhstan's FlyArystan has become a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Membership gives the carrier a place in work on global industry standards.

Uzbekistan Airways plans to open direct flights between Nukus and Atyrau. The first departure is scheduled for 22 November 2026, and tickets will go on sale later.

Kyrgyzstan's Foreign Minister Zheenbek Kulubaev met Boeing Vice President Mike Schnabel in Samarkand. According to the ministry, they discussed possible aircraft deliveries to Kyrgyz airlines and financing terms involving the US EXIM Bank. Models, quantities and carriers have not been named.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters in Samarkand that talks are underway on a possible direct flight from Miami to Uzbekistan. The airline, timing, frequency and airport in Uzbekistan have not been named.

ICAO Aviation Security Week will take place on 20–22 October 2026 at the Independence Palace in Astana. It is the first global forum of its kind hosted by Kazakhstan, and aviation authorities and industry representatives from around the world are invited, according to the organisers.

Kyrgyzstan's State Civil Aviation Agency and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) discussed a project to train air traffic controller instructors and specialists in designing flight procedures under ICAO PANS-OPS standards. The project's budget and timeline have not been named.

Astana airport will receive an additional 350 hectares of land in connection with the construction of a second runway, airport president Beken Seidakhmetov said. A cargo terminal, a truck parking area and a fuel complex will be built on the new site.

Saltanat Tompiyeva, chair of the Civil Aviation Committee, said Kazakhstan is developing a civil aviation master plan to 2050 together with ICAO. In the first nine months of 2026 Kazakh airlines carried 12.4 million passengers, and airports handled 136.5 thousand tonnes of cargo.

Airports of Kyrgyzstan has set the goal of finishing the new terminal complex at Osh by the end of 2026 and the new Jalal-Abad international airport in the third quarter of 2027. This became known on 14 October following an inspection.

Uzbek cargo airline My Freighter has said that the UK Department for Transport has designated it an ACC3 carrier. According to the company, this allows it to officially carry cargo from Tashkent to the United Kingdom; the schedule will be announced later.

Adilbek Umraliev, chairman of the board of Qazaq Air, which operates as Vietjet Qazaqstan, has proposed cutting VAT on domestic flights in Kazakhstan from 16% to at least 10%. According to him, all domestic routes are loss-making.

An ICAO aviation security audit will take place in Tajikistan from 7 to 19 November 2026. This was announced by Habibullo Nazarzoda, director of the Civil Aviation Agency, at meetings at Dushanbe airport and Tajikaeronavigation.

Kuwait's Jazeera Airways is interested in resuming flights to Kazakhstan once the situation in the region stabilises. This was reported by Kazakhstan's Foreign Ministry after a meeting between Ambassador to Kuwait Yerzhan Yelekeyev and the carrier's chief executive.

Manasbek Samidinov, chairman of the board of Airports of Kyrgyzstan, and Czech Transport Minister Ivan Bednarik discussed opening direct air service between Bishkek and Prague. The next step is a visit by a Kyrgyz delegation to Prague airport.

Kazakhstan's First Deputy Prime Minister has approved a development plan for cargo airlines. It provides for legislative changes and separate market access procedures for passenger and cargo carriers, said Saltanat Tompiyeva, chair of the Civil Aviation Committee.

Tajikistan's lower house of parliament on 1 October 2026 ratified the air services agreement with the UAE signed in Dushanbe on 17 July 2025. According to media reports, the sides are also discussing Etihad Airways flights from Dushanbe and Khujand to Abu Dhabi.

Astana airport has stopped buying jet fuel itself and now works with fuel operators. According to an airport representative, the related fees have been halved since 1 August, and the full-year passenger growth forecast has been cut from 8% to 4%. The airport posted a loss of 6.9 billion tenge for 2025.

Kazakhstan's cargo airline Alatau Air Cargo plans to start flights in early 2027, with Hong Kong as its first destination. According to a company representative, the fleet may grow to 10 widebody aircraft.

From 30 September to 7 October 2026, an ICAO Coordinated Validation Mission worked in Kyrgyzstan. It found no critical issues, the State Civil Aviation Agency reported.

From 8 November to 14 December 2026, AirAsia X will fly between Kuala Lumpur and Almaty four times a week instead of five, on an Airbus A330-300.

Aero Nomad Airlines has launched a wireless inflight entertainment system: according to the airline, passengers watch content on their own devices on all domestic and international flights. The provider is India-based AeroHub.

Somon Air has chosen France-based Moment to launch inflight entertainment on eight new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. According to Moment, passengers will watch content over Wi-Fi on their own devices, with launch planned for the fourth quarter of 2026.

Turkish Airlines and Shohin Airlines have signed a memorandum of understanding covering training for the Tajik carrier's staff. According to the press release, part of the training is already under way; the signing date has not been disclosed.

Uzbekistan Airways has announced lower prices on domestic routes from 16 October 2026. The stated cut averages about 20%, but a route-by-route breakdown has not been disclosed.

On 9 October, the first flydubai cargo flight arrived at Almaty airport; the route will operate twice a week. It is a new player on the Central Asia–Dubai lane and the second Dubai-based cargo operator in Almaty after Emirates SkyCargo.

Turkistan International Airport has announced certification of its quality management system to ISO 9001:2015. The certificate covers airport operations, airport services and ground handling.

From 10 October, VietJet Air starts Hanoi–Almaty–Prague flights on Airbus A330 aircraft twice a week. It is the airline's first route to Europe, and the launch was moved from 11 July.

ACI EUROPE Director General Olivier Jankovec presented the Airport Carbon Accreditation certificate to the Chairman of the Board of Uzbekistan Airports. Nine airports are in the programme: eight at Level 1 and Tashkent at Level 2.

On 9 October, the foundation stone of a new international terminal was laid at Dushanbe airport. According to the President's press service, its capacity will be 8.5 million passengers a year, and the construction period is set at one and a half years.

Air Astana held a meeting for its suppliers together with the EBRD and Bank CenterCredit: companies will be able to get financing against approved invoices and early payment. The airline is also raising ESG requirements across its supply chain.

Air Astana will start scheduled flights to Salalah from Almaty and Astana on Airbus A320 aircraft, once a week from each city. Salam Air currently serves Oman from Kazakhstan.

Day two of MRO Central Asia in Astana covered components, urgent composite repair, digitalisation, aircraft end-of-life and regional strategy. We look at what these topics add up to.

On 4 October, My Freighter received its tenth Boeing 767 freighter in Tashkent. Two more aircraft of the type are expected by the end of the year.

Uzbekistan Airways Technics, the Uzbek MRO provider, has successfully passed a supervisory audit by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and confirmed compliance with the Part-145 standard. For external airlines and lessors it is a signal of access to European-level maintenance.

Uzbekistan Airways has announced single-ticket sales with Kam Air, with a connection in Tashkent to 15 cities and through baggage check-in. The two airlines signed their interline agreement in September 2025.

On the first day of MRO Central Asia in Astana, Air Astana presented its plans for in-house capabilities, Airbus and Rolls-Royce spoke on OEM partnerships, and ATO Comm and AIFC signed a memorandum on developing MRO in the region.

On 6 October in Astana, during the state visit of the Sultan of Oman, the two governments signed an air service agreement. Routes, carriers and launch dates have not been announced.

On 7 October, Kyrgyzstan's Cabinet Chairman Adylbek Kasymaliev said the country is considering four more aircraft: two mid-haul and two turboprop. Models, timeline and funding were not named.

Air Astana has announced the start of ticket sales for direct flights between Almaty and Tokyo, with the first flight scheduled for November 30 and service operating twice weekly to Narita International Airport.

Vietjet Qazaqstan has moved its Astana–Bishkek flights to a daily schedule starting October 1, 2026. Tickets are available on vietjetqazaqstan.kz.

On October 1, the Assembly of Representatives of Tajikistan's parliament reviewed the ratification of an air services agreement between the governments of Tajikistan and the UAE, signed in Dushanbe in July 2025.

The Aktobe region administration has held a meeting with Czech company Omnipol Defence a.s. to discuss acquiring L-410 turboprop aircraft for regional small-aviation development. The region has also launched a separate tender for the construction of Shalkar airport.

The new Arnasoy airfield in Uzbekistan's Jizzakh region has received its first international flight — a Boeing 737-800 arriving on a direct service from Dubai. It marks the next milestone for a facility built on the shore of Lake Aydarkul as the transport gateway for a future tourism complex.

Jackson Square Aviation has delivered two Airbus A321neo aircraft to FlyOne Asia, marking the start of a new partnership with a growing airline group expanding its presence across Central Asia.

Starting December 11, Air Astana will launch flights from Astana to Bangkok, in addition to its existing flights from Almaty.

Uzbekistan's and Romania's civil aviation authorities have signed a memorandum on flight-safety oversight cooperation, announced by RCAA General Director Nicolae Stoica.

Starting December 25, 2026, Air Astana will launch a new seasonal direct route between Almaty and Langkawi, Malaysia — its latest addition to Southeast Asia, operated with an Airbus A321LR.

The Turkic Investment Fund (TIF) has joined a $670 million internationally syndicated financing arranged by Bank of America to support the modernization of Almaty International Airport, Central Asia's busiest airport, committing up to $20 million to the deal.

On September 27, 2026, Tajik carrier Shohin Airlines operated its first passenger flight on the Dushanbe–Khorog route aboard its new L-410NG aircraft "Badakhshon" — a day after a technical flight on the same route on September 26. President Emomali Rahmon was on board the inaugural passenger flight during a working visit to the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region.

Air Astana will invest KZT 8 billion (~$17.5mn) in its low-cost subsidiary FlyArystan and lease it another Airbus A320neo — an aircraft originally ordered by Air Astana itself, arriving in FlyArystan's fleet in November 2026.

Uzbekistan Airways has become the world's launch customer for Chinese manufacturer Jiatai's JT220B Premium business-class seat — a contract covering more than 10 new Airbus A321neo aircraft and Jiatai's first seating project in Central Asia.

The US Federal Aviation Administration conducted an International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) in Kazakhstan from September 21–25, 2026 — one of the stages toward opening direct air service between the two countries.

Turkish carrier SunExpress will raise its Almaty–Izmir frequency from two to three weekly flights starting October 25, 2026, less than three months after launch — while preparing a second Kazakh route, Astana–Izmir.

Kazakhstan's SCAT Airlines will begin a direct charter program between Bishkek and Sanya, Hainan Island, starting in early December 2026 — a route pushed forward at the intergovernmental level between Kyrgyzstan and China.

Kyrgyz carrier Aero Nomad Airlines will convert its Bishkek–Phu Quoc route from charter to scheduled service starting October 31, 2026, operating three times a week.

Uzbek carrier Qanot Sharq will begin direct flights from Bishkek to the resort island of Phuket, Thailand, starting November 17, 2026.

Kyrgyz carrier Asman Airlines and China's COMAC have agreed to deepen cooperation — one of the key areas is exploring the potential purchase of C909 and C919 aircraft.

Russia's Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Industry and Trade, and Rostec are discussing a new passenger fee to help fund the leasing and operation of domestically built aircraft — with effects that could reach beyond Russia's own market.

Tajik carrier Shohin Airlines is expanding its fleet with a new regional turboprop, the Let L-410NG — the aircraft is arriving in Dushanbe today after a ferry flight from the Czech Republic.

Uzbek logistics holding Centrum (parent of Centrum Air and cargo carrier My Freighter) plans to list on the London Stock Exchange in Q1 2027 at a $2 billion valuation, aiming to raise roughly $600 million.

The Astana city administration, Kazakhstan's Ministry of Transport and Singapore's Changi Airports International have signed a framework cooperation agreement covering the construction of a new airport in the capital and the development of the existing Astana International Airport.

Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) operates 48 weekly flights to 10 cities across four Central Asian countries — since the start of 2026, the carrier has flown roughly 400,000 passengers on these routes, a 35% increase over the same period last year.

Uzbek authorities have pushed back the national carrier's international IPO from 2026 to 2027, prioritizing completion of the airline's transformation program first.

On September 22, at ATMB headquarters in Beijing, Uzbekistan's Uzaeronavigation Center and China's Air Traffic Management Bureau signed a memorandum of cooperation — the first formal agreement between the two countries' air navigation service providers.

On September 18, Tajikistan's Deputy Prime Minister Usmonali Usmonzoda chaired a meeting of the Interagency Aviation Safety Commission, with preparation for an upcoming ICAO inspection as the main topic.

On September 22, Karakol International Airport in the Issyk-Kul region hosted Kyrgyzstan's first-ever Business Aviation Summit, bringing together international business aviation professionals to discuss route and infrastructure development.

Aviation authorities of Kazakhstan and Switzerland signed a memorandum in Astana on September 22, granting designated carriers rights to up to 28 weekly passenger flights.

Kazakhstan has allocated 23.5 billion tenge for a second runway at Shymkent airport, a project meant to prevent a full airport closure when the existing runway needs repair in 2027.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed the second phase of Andijan International Airport's reconstruction, designed to raise the airport's hourly passenger capacity fivefold.

FlyArystan operated its first direct Almaty–Chongqing flight on September 23, 2026 — the route will run twice weekly, with tickets starting at 92,000 tenge one-way.

Uzbekistan Airways, in partnership with tour operator Asialuxe Travel, is launching a package of seasonal flights to popular beach and tourism destinations — Langkawi, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Sharm El Sheikh, Antalya, and Phuket.

Russian carrier Nordwind Airlines is launching direct flights between Kazan and Astana starting October 27, operating on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Russian carrier Azimuth will resume Moscow (Vnukovo)–Navoi service on October 28, operating Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft. The route first launched in 2022 but had dropped out of the airline's active network — it now returns on a new schedule.

Kazakhstan's Agency for Protection and Development of Competition has fined Taraz's Aulie-Ata International Airport 3.2 million tenge and confiscated 25.2 million tenge in monopoly income for overpricing jet fuel. The court upheld the finding, and the airport admitted guilt.

If Somon Air converts its Dushanbe–Doha service from charter to scheduled, Qatar would join Dubai and Istanbul as Tajikistan's next major transit gateway to the world.

AIFC's first regional aviation finance report forecasts Uzbekistan's commercial fleet growing from 105 to 180 aircraft by 2030 — a 71% increase, and the region's second-largest fleet after Kazakhstan.

An Extraordinary Session of the ICAO Assembly will convene in Montreal on 19-20 November 2026 to elect four new Council members to the organization's expanded seats. Kazakhstan has declared its intent to compete for one of them — and could become the first Central Asian country ever represented on the ICAO Council.

On August 22, 2026, two long-dormant airports reopened on the same day — Arkalyk (idle for 30 years) and Pavlodar. By year-end, Zaysan, Katon-Karagay and Kenderli will follow. Kazakhstan is building a domestic feeder network alongside its Almaty/Astana hub modernization.

On 19 September 2026, it became known that Somon Air intends to convert its Dushanbe-Doha flights from charter to scheduled service.

AIFC forecasts Kyrgyzstan's commercial aircraft fleet will grow from 20 to 35 aircraft by 2030 (+75%), according to its first regional aviation finance report.

AIFC has published its first regional aviation finance report and backed Kazakh cargo carrier Jupiter Jet's first aircraft leasing transaction with a US lessor — a bid to position itself as the region's aviation finance center.

Uzbek cargo carrier Fly Khiva Group has been authorized by Hong Kong's Civil Aviation Department to accept cargo at HKIA Dongguan Logistics Park — another step in a partnership that began in 2024.

Turkmenistan Airlines has added three temporary Ashgabat–Kazan flights — on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays — on top of its regular schedule, ahead of a move to daily service (except Mondays) from October 25.

SunExpress is launching flights to Astana from Izmir, while Air Astana and FlyDubai sharply increase Dubai frequencies — Almaty–Dubai growing from 4 to 12 weekly flights and Astana–Dubai from 3 to 10.

Uzbek cargo carrier Stratos has announced an interline agreement with Uzbekistan Airways, expanding its network and opening new cargo routing options across Central Asia and international markets.

A team of US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) auditors has arrived in Kazakhstan to assess the country's aviation safety oversight under the IASA program — a required step before direct US flights, which Air Astana plans to launch in 2027.

The Astana International Financial Centre forecasts Tajikistan's commercial fleet will grow from 10 to 25 aircraft by 2030 — a 150% increase, the highest relative growth rate among the five Central Asian countries covered.

Air Astana named Best Airline in Central Asia & CIS for the 15th consecutive year at the 2026 Skytrax awards; FlyArystan takes Best Low-Cost Airline in the region for the fourth year running.

An AIFC report forecasts Turkmenistan's fleet growing from 27 to 43 aircraft by 2030 (+59.3%) — though the official Turkmenistan Airlines website lists a current fleet of 25, pointing to differing counting methodologies.

During Mirziyoyev's state visit to Seoul, cooperation deepened with two separate Korean partners on the new Tashkent airport project: Yooshin Engineering Corporation, drawing on its Incheon construction expertise, and Incheon International Airport Corporation, which will open a Tashkent office as an airport management competence center.

An AIFC report forecasts the region's combined fleet growing from 383 to 684 aircraft by 2030 (+78.6%) — but behind that figure lies an open question: what financing instruments will actually close a gap of that size.

Uzbekistan Airports held talks with Jiangxi International Cargo Airlines and Beijing Capital Airlines on launching Tashkent–Nanjing cargo flights from 12 October — three times weekly on Airbus A330 freighters. These remain preliminary plans, not a confirmed launch.

Turkish carrier SunExpress plans to launch twice-weekly Izmir–Astana flights on Boeing 737 aircraft — Astana becomes the carrier's second Kazakh destination after Almaty, whose frequency is also increasing from 25 October.

Navoi International Airport has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Hong Kong's HKIA Consultancy and Harvest Epoch Strategic Investment to transfer airport management expertise — signed at the 11th Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong.

Air Astana plans to resume Almaty–Dubai flights from 1 October and Astana–Dubai from 2 October, gradually ramping up frequency — the second resumption cycle after the route was suspended again in July 2026.

Dubai-based cargo carrier SolitAir has added Tashkent and Navoiy international airports to its network — Uzbekistan becomes the third Central Asian country in the carrier's route map, with a focus on perishables.

Kazakh low-cost carrier FlyArystan has completed its initial IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) and been added to the international IOSA operator registry — its first independent audit as a standalone carrier.

KazMunayGas subsidiary KazMunayGas-Aero will invest 10 billion tenge in an aviation fuel and lubricant storage facility in the Sauran district of Turkestan Region, with total capacity of up to 8,000 cubic meters, construction starting Q1 2027.

S7 Airlines resumed direct air service between Moscow and Urgench on 15 September, part of the carrier's ongoing program to restore flights to cities across Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan Airways and flydubai have signed a strategic interline agreement linking the two carriers' route networks through Tashkent and Dubai — passengers gain access to more than 40 flydubai destinations, with connections back onto Uzbekistan Airways' network.

Kyrgyzstan's Civil Aviation Agency has drafted a presidential decree to lift the moratorium on registering new airlines, in place since November 2024 — the agency says the original goals of the temporary ban have been met.

Russian carrier Nordwind Airlines is launching direct flights between Kazan and Kulob starting 27 September, a new route connecting Tatarstan with southern Tajikistan.

Cargo carrier My Freighter (Centrum Air) has completed the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) — the global benchmark for airline safety and operational management, covering more than 900 standards.

At talks in Seoul, the presidents of Tajikistan and South Korea discussed tourism cooperation, including organizing direct air service between the two countries — part of Tajikistan's broader plan to open flights to Seoul, London, and Beijing.

During President Tokayev's state visit to Seoul, Kazakhstan and South Korea signed a trilateral memorandum on transferring UAS traffic management (UTM) technology — with Korea Airports Corporation and Kazakhstan's Alatau Advance Air Group named as implementing partners.

Following talks between presidents Mirziyoyev and Lee Jae-myung in Seoul, Uzbekistan and South Korea signed 13 agreements and memoranda, including a dedicated aviation document — alongside plans to train pilots, aviation managers, and logistics specialists for joint aviation projects.

An AIFC report forecasts Kazakhstan's aircraft fleet growing from 109 to 221 by 2030 (+102.8%) — the underlying market trend is already confirmed, though the 221 figure itself needs further verification against individual carriers' fleet plans.

At Astana Finance Days, AIFC and the Development Bank of Kazakhstan signed a memorandum on developing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), tied to ICAO's Finvest initiative.

At Astana Finance Days 2026, AIFC presented its first-of-its-kind analytical report on aviation finance in the region, supported the first leasing transaction of new cargo carrier Jupiter Jet, and signed a memorandum with the Development Bank of Kazakhstan on sustainable aviation fuel.

Centrum Air is launching direct Tashkent–Hyderabad flights — its second Indian destination after Delhi, reached less than a year after entering the Indian market.

Kyrgyzstan's Civil Aviation Agency has opened public consultation on an updated version of APKR-4, the rules governing aeronautical charts — the current 2016 version does not account for the three most recent ICAO amendment packages.

CIS Executive Committee Secretary General Sergei Lebedev and Interstate Aviation Committee Chairman Oleg Storchevoy signed a memorandum in Ashgabat, laying the groundwork for deeper integration and joint modernization of air transport across the CIS space.

flydubai is launching dedicated freighter operations — three Boeing 737-800Fs from October. For the region, this matters: flydubai is one of the most active carriers in Central Asia, and its new cargo fleet could reshape logistics between the Gulf and the region.

Emomali Rahmon opened the reconstructed Rasht district airport, following the June opening of Khovaling airport — both buildings renovated with funding from local entrepreneurs, as Tajikistan steadily rebuilds its regional aviation infrastructure.

Uzbekistan's airport operator and cargo carrier My Freighter have launched an e-commerce delivery route from China to Europe via Tashkent, using a Truck-to-Air model — seven cargo flights to Liège, Belgium have already been completed.

New Kazakh cargo carrier Jupiter Jet has unveiled its first aircraft — a Boeing 757-200 delivered from the US to Turkestan airport; the company wants to grow its fleet to 10 aircraft but faces age restrictions on cargo aircraft imports.

Somon Air has taken delivery of its second Boeing 737 MAX 8 from lessor DAE, completing a two-aircraft lease agreement — the new jets are earmarked in part for planned international routes from Dushanbe.

Air Astana CEO Ibrahim Canliel confirmed the airline's first Boeing 787 Dreamliners will arrive in Kazakhstan in December 2026 — the aircraft needed to launch a direct Astana–New York route under a government directive.

President Serdar Berdimuhamedov approved an initiative from Deputy Prime Minister Batyr Annayev to improve the operations of national carrier Türkmenhowaýollary, instructing officials to continue strengthening flight safety and regularity.

Kyrgyzstan's State Civil Aviation Agency has signed a contract with Germany's EMPIC GmbH to implement a digital flight safety oversight management system, as part of the World Bank-supported CARs-3 regional connectivity project.

Uzbekistan plans to sell 100% of state-owned Humo Air through public tender in 2026–2027, after the carrier reverted to state ownership following the termination of its contract with Swiss investor ValleyRoad Capital.

The two sides have agreed to launch a direct Sanya–Bishkek–Sanya route for the 2026/2027 winter season — talks were held in Haikou, Hainan, following up on the Kyrgyz and Chinese presidents' agreement to deepen transport and tourism cooperation.

Uzbekistan Airways is increasing frequency to the resort island of Phu Quoc to twice weekly from November — the destination airport has already served 5.4 million passengers in eight months and is preparing a new terminal.

Ilkhom Makhkamov and Christian Leifeld discussed extending technical support for Airbus A320 and Boeing 787 fleets to 2035, engine services for LEAP-1A and CFM56-5B, and cooperation with Tashkent State Transport University.

Air Astana Group delivered one of the most extensive summer seasons in its history: capacity to China grew 81%, Almaty–Tashkent frequency reached three daily flights for the first time, and several new routes launched.

Private Uzbek carrier Air Samarkand has lost all three of its passenger aircraft: one was returned to its lessor and transferred to Egypt's Nesma Airlines, a second is now operated by Centrum Air, and a third — an Airbus A330 — was scrapped in Istanbul in August.

Pobeda CEO Dmitry Tyshchuk says the low-cost carrier, which already added Nukus, Termez, Fergana, and Osh in 2026, plans Andijan as its next Central Asian route.

Thai carrier SiamWings Airlines posted a greeting to Almaty on social media — the first official signal of interest in the Kazakh market, though the route, dates, and frequency have not been disclosed.

Uzbekistan's Tourism Committee and Indonesia's minister for hajj and umrah affairs discussed resuming Tashkent–Jakarta flights and launching direct service from Indonesia to Samarkand and Bukhara for pilgrimage tourism.

Vietnam's Sun PhuQuoc Airways has officially named Kazakhstan among its international expansion targets and is taking delivery of new Airbus A330s specifically to serve these routes; travel agencies report the first Almaty flights could start as early as October.

Air Astana Group reported an on-time performance of 86% for the three summer months of 2026 — 12.5 percentage points higher year-on-year and, per EUROCONTROL data, 16% above the European carrier average.

ALATA (ALA Training Academy) at Almaty International Airport is launching three internationally accredited ACI certification courses covering passenger experience, safety management, and airport security.

Uzbekistan's Fly Khiva Cargo reports network growth on its Boeing 767-300BCF fleet: 452 flights and 6,600 tonnes of freight carried across five countries from the start of 2026 through 18 August.

Kazakhstan's low-cost carrier FlyArystan has joined Hahnair's network of more than 350 partner airlines, making its flights bookable by travel agents in 190+ markets through standard GDS channels.

From 15 September, China will apply stricter cross-checks between travelers' stated purpose and their documents; FlyArystan advises arriving at the airport at least three hours early.

Kyrgyz Airports chairman Manasbek Samidinov confirmed talks with Lufthansa and a second carrier over a Bishkek–Milan charter, but any launch is tied to the delivery of new Airbus aircraft.

SCAT Airlines will begin Kazakhstan's first direct connection to Singapore on 20 October, flying Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft with a technical stop in Sanya, China.

Tajikistan's Somon Air has scheduled a one-time Boeing 737 MAX 8 charter flight from Dushanbe to Seoul — the airline has no regular service to South Korea.

Tour operator Prestige Travel is launching Tashkent's first direct connection to Mauritius on Uzbekistan Airways aircraft — starting as a four-flight charter programme over the New Year period.

Uzbekistan is hosting two international air navigation forums back to back for the first time, with ICAO, CANSO, and EUROCONTROL participation; sources disagree on the exact dates.

Based on both countries' official plans, Uzbekistan's aircraft fleet could overtake Kazakhstan's by the end of 2026, with the gap potentially widening to 20 aircraft by 2030.

Chinese cargo airline China Central Longhao plans to begin operating four weekly Boeing 747-400F flights via Astana International Airport in September, the airport says — the second major Chinese freighter operator to add technical stops in Astana this year.

Peter Foster, former head of Air Astana, has stepped down early as an independent director of cargo carrier Alatau Air Cargo — just 2.5 months after his appointment. The company's acting general director has also been replaced.

Fly Khiva is negotiating the dry lease of an additional Boeing 737, while considering retaining wet-leased B737-800 capacity from Lithuania's GetJet Airlines. Deal details have not yet been disclosed.

FLYONE Asia's fleet has grown with a second passenger A321-271NX. Like the carrier's first aircraft, this one previously flew for US carrier Spirit Airlines and now carries Uzbek registration UK-32127.

Kazakhstan will host ICAO Aviation Security Week for the first time on 20–22 October, bringing aviation regulators, industry leaders and security experts to Astana to address emerging threats.

Kostanay region governor Kumar Aksakalov has announced plans to more than double the city's airport, to over 11,000 square meters. Talks are underway with Turkish carriers on a year-round Kostanay–Istanbul route.

My Freighter has officially announced the launch of regular freighter services from Shenzhen, extending its global cargo network through its Tashkent hub into Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East and South Asia.

Russia's Nordwind Airlines will launch direct Kazan–Namangan flights from 5 September 2026, once weekly on an Airbus A321. It's part of the carrier's broader Tatarstan–Uzbekistan expansion in the third quarter of 2026.

Qatar Airways Cargo has strengthened its Almaty service by deploying a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, adding 73 tonnes of belly-hold cargo capacity each way weekly. Combined capacity on the route will exceed 370 tonnes per week.

UAE cargo airline SolitAir has operated its first charter cargo service between Dubai World Central and Manas International Airport, making Kyrgyzstan its second Central Asian destination after Almaty and Astana.

After taking delivery of its first Boeing 737 MAX 8 in early August, Somon Air deployed the new aircraft across eight routes in its network — from Almaty and Delhi to Jeddah and Munich — according to its published August 2026 schedule.

The Fergana regional administration and a delegation from Afghan carrier Kam Air have discussed an initiative to establish a new international airline based in Fergana. The sides are reviewing infrastructure and service arrangements — no agreement has been signed yet.

Centrum Air has closed bookings on a one-off holiday-season Tashkent–Kittilä (Finland) service. The route was withdrawn before actual flight operations ever began.

Centrum Air will resume Tashkent–Mattala (Hambantota) flights in its winter 2026/27 schedule, twice weekly. It's the carrier's second Sri Lanka destination — the resort south coast, rather than the capital, Colombo.

FLYONE Asia's first branded Airbus A321neo is powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1100G (Geared Turbofan) engines, making the carrier Uzbekistan's first GTF operator. Other carriers in the country chose the more reliable CFM LEAP-1A instead.

Uzbekistan's cargo airline My Freighter has signed an interline agreement with Oman Air, extending its network through the carrier's Muscat hub. It's My Freighter's eighth such partnership over the past year.

Kazakhstan's largest private carrier, SCAT Airlines, has begun implementing Sabre Mosaic Network Planning, a demand-based route scheduling platform — extending a technology partnership with Sabre that began in 2021.

FlyArystan will launch direct Almaty–Urgench flights from 3 September 2026, twice weekly. Ahead of launch, the airline partnered with tour operator Arda Khiva, which has already built travel packages around the flight schedule.

FlyArystan will resume direct Aktau–Istanbul flights from 22 October 2026, twice weekly. Combined with the previously announced Yerevan launch, the carrier's international network from Aktau will grow to seven destinations.

FLYONE Asia has taken delivery of its first Airbus A321neo (A321-200NX) in its own branded livery, completing the visual rebrand of the carrier, which relaunched in July as the successor to bankrupt Asia Union Airlines.

FlyOne Asia plans to launch twice-weekly Tashkent–Delhi flights from 6 November, becoming the third Uzbek airline on the route after Uzbekistan Airways and Centrum Air. The carrier has not yet issued an official announcement.

Manas International Airport has completed a major reconstruction worth over $130 million. On 29 August, President Sadyr Japarov personally checked the facility's readiness to host delegations for the SCO summit and World Nomad Games.

Tashkent-based cargo airline My Freighter has opened General Sales Agent tenders across ten countries over the past three months. The move should be read against a stated goal of tripling the fleet by the end of 2026.

Namangan has completed a new Air Traffic Control Center with a dispatch tower. The project is part of a presidential decree modernizing Uzbekistan's air navigation system, backed by 250 billion soums a year in state funding.

IATA projects airlines will spend around $350 billion on fuel this year. Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan carriers are renewing their fleets, but IATA says the next stage of fuel savings will come from data and benchmarking rather than aircraft alone.

FlyArystan will resume direct Aktau–Yerevan flights from 16 December 2026, operating twice weekly on an Airbus A320. The carrier previously flew the route in 2023 before suspending it.

On 29 August 2026, Somon Air operated its first direct flight between Dushanbe and Minsk, a day ahead of Tajikistan's 35th State Independence anniversary. Flights will operate weekly.

On 22 August, scheduled air service returned to Arkalyk after a three-decade gap. SCAT Airlines began subsidized flights connecting the city with Astana, Almaty and Kostanay.

On 26 August, Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia signed an air services agreement raising the permitted number of weekly flights between the two countries from 28 to 70. No specific airline or route launch date has been named.

From 27 August 2026, Russia's Nordwind Airlines begins direct scheduled flights on the Samarkand–Kazan route. Uzbekistan Airways already operates the route, so Nordwind's entry means more competition and capacity.

Kazakhstan's Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov and Changi Airport Group CEO Yam Kum Weng discussed the Singaporean company's potential involvement in building Astana's second airport. No agreement was signed at the meeting.

A Tajik delegation held talks in Tehran on petroleum-product supplies, including aviation fuel. The driver is a domestic fuel shortage and export restrictions from Russia, the traditional supplier.

Uzbekistan's president reviewed the modernization of Urgench International Airport, which will receive $264 million in investment. Operated by South Korea's Incheon International Airport Corporation, the airport will be able to handle widebody Boeing 747 and Airbus A350 aircraft after the upgrade.

On 1 August 2026, Belgian cargo carrier Air Belgium operated its first flight into Ashgabat International Airport. The event reflects Turkmenistan's ambition to establish itself as a cargo transit hub between Asia and Europe.

On 10 August 2026, Karakol International Airport near Issyk-Kul operated its first technical flight after a runway reconstruction, receiving a mainline-class aircraft — an Airbus A320 — for the first time in its history.

Pavlodar Airport, idle since spring 2025, is preparing to resume operations after a runway reconstruction. Completion is expected in September 2026, after which regular flights to Astana and Almaty will resume.

Tajikistan's flag carrier Somon Air is scheduling a limited-time Dushanbe–Minsk service — one weekly flight from 29 August to 12 September 2026 on a Boeing 737-800. This is a targeted program, not a permanent route.

On 7 August 2026, Oman Air announced a five-route cargo network expansion on Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, including a twice-weekly Muscat–Tashkent service. The launch coincides with a 33% rise in cargo handled across Uzbekistan's airports in H1 2026.