ISLAMABAD: Uzbekistan Airlines operated its inaugural flight from Islamabad to Tashkent on Saturday, marking a significant milestone in air connectivity between Pakistan and Uzbekistan, according to a statement issued by the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA).
The flight, which departed at 1:09 PM with 126 passengers on board, is the first in a planned expansion of routes between the two countries. Uzbekistan had earlier announced the launch of new air links connecting Karachi, Samarkand, and Bukhara, calling it a key step toward strengthening bilateral ties.
In celebration of the milestone, Zone 1 of Islamabad International Airport was decorated with colorful balloons, creating a festive atmosphere. A formal cake-cutting ceremony was held in the upper lounge (Gate A5) to commemorate the occasion.
The event was attended by the ambassadors of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan, along with senior officials including the Chief Operating Officer of Islamabad Airport, the Managing Director of Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation, and the Country Manager of Uzbekistan Airlines.
“Guests warmly welcomed passengers at Stand 3,” the PAA noted, adding that the launch event was “seamlessly organised with dedicated coordination by airport teams under the Pakistan Airports Authority.”
The development follows an agreement reached in February 2025 between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, during which both leaders pledged to expand bilateral trade to $2 billion.
At the time, President Mirziyoyev noted that mutual trade had already surpassed $400 million and described the talks as “very fruitful,” setting a “new direction” for future cooperation across multiple sectors.
