On Wednesday night, Tashkent International Airport hosted the launch of a new airline, Centrum Air, a low-cost carrier that will operate domestic and international routes from its hub in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
During the presentation, Centrum Air took delivery of two Airbus A320-232s, which arrived from Europe.
Earlier in the week, the airline received two Boeing 737 aircraft. A third A320 is expected to arrive later this week.
The company plans to expand its fleet to 20 aircraft by the end of the year and has ambitions to operate 100 aircraft by the end of 2026.
“Our decision to start a new airline reflects the success of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s economic reforms and his strong support for the development of private sector capacities in both the transportation and tourism sectors” said Abdulaziz Abdurakhmonov, CEO of the airline.
“Establishing a low-cost airline will enable many more people to enjoy the benefits of air travel and help to develop connectivity domestically, in the region, and internationally.”
Centrum Air plans to launch international routes between Uzbekistan and 15 countries, including Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE, India, and South Korea.
Domestic routes will include flights from Tashkent to five Uzbek cities: Nukus, Urgench, Termez, Namangan and Fergana.
Initially, Centrum Air’s airfares will start at $20 for flights to Uzbekistan and $40 for flights departing Uzbekistan. Captain Nikolaos Triantafyllou, who flew one of the two Airbus aircraft to Tashkent, shared his view on Centrum Air’s potential.
“Uzbekistan is located at the intersection of Europe and Asia and this is a big plus for the development of aviation and tourism.
“People from all over the world come here to see the unique historical cities, monuments, and nature. And our goal is to open opportunities for everyone to travel at affordable prices.”
The company is also seeking to secure additional foreign investment as part of a broader revitalization of Uzbekistan’s civil aviation sector.
In November, Centrum Air’s sister company, the logistics specialist MyFreighter, took delivery of a Boeing 747-200F. MyFreighter is the first Uzbek company to operate the freight variant of Boeing’s iconic “jumbo jet.”
