Uzbek airline Centrum Air has launched direct flights between Tashkent and Mattala, Sri Lanka.

The new route will operate twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, until the end of March 2027, the Dunyо news agency reported, The Caspian Post reports, citing UzDaily.

The inaugural flight arrived at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport at 17:30 local time on October 28, carrying 160 passengers.

The aircraft was greeted with a traditional water salute, followed by an official opening ceremony.

The route was launched following negotiations involving the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Islamabad, Centrum Air and relevant Sri Lankan organisations. Representatives of the Sri Lankan side expressed their appreciation for the introduction of direct flights on the Tashkent-Mattala-Tashkent route.

The new service is expected to strengthen transport connections between Uzbekistan and Sri Lanka while creating additional opportunities to expand trade, investment and tourism.

The direct flights will also enable Uzbekistan to serve as a transit hub for air travel between Sri Lanka and Central Asian countries.

The service is scheduled to continue until the end of March 2027.