Pakistan, Uzbekistan boost air connectivity

July 21, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan and Uzbekistan are set to deepen their transport links as Uzbekistan's private carrier, Centrum Air, will launch direct scheduled flights between Karachi and Tashkent from September 3, 2026.

The new non-stop service will operate twice a week, every Thursday and Sunday, providing direct connectivity between Pakistan's commercial capital and Uzbekistan's capital city.

The route is expected to facilitate business travel, tourism, investment, educational exchanges and cultural interaction while offering greater convenience for entrepreneurs, students, pilgrims and leisure travelers, according to APP.

Passengers travelling via Tashkent will also gain access to onward connections across Central Asia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), further enhancing the city's role as a regional aviation hub.

Welcoming the development, Uzbekistan's Ambassador to Pakistan, Alisher Tukhtaev, termed the launch of the Karachi route another significant milestone in expanding transport connectivity between the two countries.

He said the introduction of the new service reflects the rapid progress in bilateral relations, noting that there were no regular direct flights between Pakistan and Uzbekistan just 20 months ago.

With the addition of the Karachi route, the total number of weekly direct flights between the two countries will increase to eight, comprising four flights to Lahore, two to Islamabad and two to Karachi.

The ambassador said the expanded air network demonstrates the growing strategic partnership between Pakistan and Uzbekistan and is expected to strengthen economic cooperation, boost trade and tourism, and promote closer people-to-people ties.

He expressed confidence that improved connectivity would create new opportunities for businesses and travelers while supporting regional integration and broader bilateral cooperation.

Uzbekistan has become an increasingly attractive destination for international visitors, offering a blend of rich cultural heritage and modern development.

The country is home to the historic Silk Road cities of Samarkand and Bukhara, famous for their Islamic architecture and centuries-old traditions.

Other notable attractions include the Centre for Islamic Civilization in Tashkent and the Imam Al-Bukhari Memorial Complex near Samarkand, one of the Muslim world's most prominent religious and historical landmarks.

The launch of Centrum Air's Karachi-Tashkent service is expected to further strengthen bilateral relations by improving connectivity and supporting increased trade, tourism and investment between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.

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