Uzbekistan, Tajikistan Reconnect with Direct Samarkand-Dushanbe Flights

Direct flights between Samarkand and Dushanbe officially resumed, marking a significant enhancement in air connectivity between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

Operated by Uzbekistan-based Centrum Air, the service offers twice-weekly flights every Thursday and Sunday, with fares starting at 608,000 Uzbek soums ($47.94), The Caspian Post reports, citing Tajik media.

The move follows Centrum Air’s launch of a new route linking Tashkent and Dushanbe, operating twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with ticket prices from 653,000 soums ($51.49).

These expansions come on the heels of Tajikistan’s recently enacted “Open Skies” policy, signed by President Emomali Rahmon on June 12, 2025. The new legislation removes previous restrictions requiring parity between domestic and foreign airlines, which had limited international flight frequencies and capacities.

Under the policy, airlines face no restrictions on flight frequency, aircraft size, seat capacity, or pricing, aiming to foster increased competition, better service quality, and improved passenger access.

Among the first to benefit is Turkish Airlines, which has increased weekly flights between Istanbul and Dushanbe from three to five, adding additional services on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Founded in January 2023, Centrum Air is a private airline launched as part of Uzbekistan’s efforts to upgrade its air travel sector. It operates a fleet composed entirely of Airbus aircraft, including the A320-200, A320neo, A321neo, and A330-300, and serves numerous international destinations across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.