On May 4, 2025, Air Samarkand successfully operated its first direct flight on a new international route, from Samarkand to Tel Aviv.
The flight was carried out on a modern wide-body Airbus A330 airliner and marked an important stage in the development of the carrier's international route network.
In a mark of the opening of the flight, celebratory events were held at the international airports of Samarkand and Tel Aviv.
Passengers were treated to memorable souvenirs, festive treats and a warm atmosphere.
Direct communication between two important cultural and economic centers promotes the development of tourist, business and pilgrimage trips. Travel time is about 5.5 hours. Depending on demand, flights will be operated on Airbus A330 (313 seats) or Airbus A321 (194 seats) aircraft.
Flights are operated on Sundays. A second weekly flight on Thursdays is planned to be added from July 2025. The official representative of Air Samarkand in Israel is the tour operator Asia Travel Israel, which has been operating on the market since 1999.
"The opening of the flight to Tel Aviv is a significant event for our airline. We are seeing steady interest from tourists, pilgrims and business passengers from both Uzbekistan and Israel. I am confident that the route will become a popular and strong link in air traffic between our countries," said Air Samarkand CEO Zafar Butayev.
The launch of the flight strengthens humanitarian and business ties between Uzbekistan and Israel. In recent years, bilateral cooperation has been actively developing in the areas of economy, culture and labor migration, which makes direct air service particularly relevant.
Samarkand, as one of the most ancient cities of the Great Silk Road and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is opening up to the residents of Israel in a new capacity – as an accessible and attractive tourist destination.
The flight is also of interest to Israeli businesses, which are showing growing interest in the Uzbek economy.
The opening of the route to Tel Aviv is part of Air Samarkand’s strategy to expand its international route network.
The airline is actively developing charter programs in partnership with leading tour operators and increasing the number of regular flights.
In the coming years, it is planned to expand the fleet to 10 aircraft and increase the geography of flights.
Air Samarkand has also operated charter flights to the cities of Batumi, Delhi, Dhaka, Dubai, Islamabad, Tbilisi and other cities. The most popular destination was Jeddah, with Air Samarkand operating flights from five cities in Uzbekistan (departing from Samarkand, Bukhara, Fergana, Namangan and Termez), while services to Egypt, Vietnam and Turkey have also been in high demand.
