Welcome to this week's edition of Uzbekistan Air Cargo Notes, the first and only newsletter focusing on the latest news and insights into the dynamic air cargo market of Uzbekistan and Central Asia. This week we are reporting on Air Astana connecting Almaty and Mumbai, Trans-Afghan Railway Project and more.
Uzbekistan Airways reroutes European flights, avoiding Russian and Belarusian airspace (source)
- Uzbekistan Airways rerouted flights to Europe to bypass Russian and Belarusian airspace starting on 20 January 2025. The decision follows EU aviation safety recommendations and is taken as a precautionary measure
- New routes pass through Azerbaijan and Turkey, increasing flight times by 30-40 minutes
FlyArystan expanding its fleet (source)
- FlyArystan, Kazakhstan's low-cost carrier, has expanded its fleet to 24 aircraft with the addition of its 11th Airbus A320neo, named "Spica". The new A320neo, registered as EI-KFD, is powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1127G-JM engines and configured to seat 188 passengers
- As of 1 January 2025, FlyArystan operates under its own Air Operator Certificate (AOC) and unique IATA code, FS, while remaining a fully owned subsidiary of Air Astana Group. The Air Astana Group plans to add eight new aircraft to its fleet in 2025, with at least two Airbus A320ceos designated for FlyArystan, expected to be delivered in the first quarter
Air Astana to connect Almaty and Mumbai (source)
- Air Astana, Kazakhstan's national carrier, is set to launch direct passenger flights ex Almaty to Mumbai VV starting on 20 April 2025
- The passenger flights will be operated three times per week using Airbus equipment
Kazakhstan’s Atyrau Airport takes bold step with open skies regime to attract global airlines
- Atyrau International Airport in northwestern Kazakhstan has officially adopted an open skies regime, removing all restrictions on the number of foreign airlines flights
- Presently, Atyrau International Airport handles 89 domestic flights across seven routes and 21 international flights on six routes each week
- To further enhance the airport's infrastructure, the Atyrau regional administration has signed a memorandum with QazAir Investments, a Qatari investor, to manage the airport. The plan includes constructing a new terminal spanning 16,500 square meters, with construction set to begin in 2025-2026, increasing the airport's capacity to accommodate up to 6 million passengers annually
Central Asia and EU boost connectivity with fully operational transport corridor (source)
- The Transport Corridor connecting Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, and the European Union (EU-TC) is now fully functional, improving connectivity between these countries and the EU
- Improved transport routes are expected to boost trade, tourism, and investment opportunities among the participating countries
Trans-Afghan Railway Project: A key step forward in regional transportation and cooperation (source)
- Uzbekistan and Afghanistan engaged in discussions to expedite the Trans-Afghan railway project, focusing on boosting regional trade
- The Trans-Afghan Railway Project aims to enhance regional connectivity by linking the railway networks of Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. The planned railway route will extend from Termez in Uzbekistan to Karachi in Pakistan, passing through key nodes such as Mazar-i-Sharif, Logar, Kharlaqi, and Torkham, with subsequent access through Peshawar and Rohri. The project includes the construction of 27 stations, 912 artificial structures, and 7 tunnels
- The project is anticipated to cost approximately $4.8 billion and is expected to significantly boost trade and economic relations among the participating countries by providing a more direct and efficient transportation route
Thank you for reading! We'll get back to you next Thursday with another edition of Uzbekistan Air Cargo Notes. If you missed a newsletter, check out the other editions of our newsletter.
