Samarkand International Airport (operated by Air Marakanda) has announced schedule changes on a number of international routes for the winter season. The airport said this in its Instagram account. According to the airport, the number of flights on several international routes is planned to increase during the season.
flydubai returns to Samarkand
Regular Dubai–Samarkand flights are scheduled to resume on 30 December. Flights are expected to operate three times a week. The airport does not give the reason for the pause, flight times or aircraft type.
Other changes
Loong Air: from 13 October the frequency on Xi'an–Samarkand has been raised to four flights a week.
Qanot Sharq: the frequency on Moscow–Samarkand is planned to rise to two flights a week.
Centrum Air: the frequency on Moscow–Samarkand is planned to rise to four flights a week.
What has not been announced
Start dates for the frequency increases by Qanot Sharq and Centrum Air, the previous frequency on those routes, aircraft types and departure times have not been named. It is not stated how often Loong Air flew before 13 October. The full season schedule is not given in the announcement.
Context
For the first nine months of 2026, according to Uzbekistan Airports, passenger traffic at Samarkand airport was flat on last year (1.11 million passengers) while the number of flights fell 2%.
Our assessment: flydubai's return and higher frequencies to Xi'an and Moscow affect three markets: the United Arab Emirates, China and Moscow. There is not enough data on timing and previous frequencies to assess the total gain in capacity. This is flycentralasia's conclusion, not a statement by the airport.
What businesses can do. Tour operators and hotels in Samarkand should factor in the possible return of Dubai flights from late December when planning the New Year season, but not sell packages until flydubai opens sales. Agencies working with China and Moscow should check seat availability on the new frequencies.