Uzbekistan Airways to increase flights on Tashkent–Islamabad route

ISLAMABAD: Uzbekistan Airways will increase the frequency of flights on the “Tashkent–Islamabad–Tashkent” route as part of efforts to deepen ties, enhance economic diplomacy, and boost tourism cooperation, the Uzbek embassy in Islamabad said on Wednesday.

Starting October 28, 2025, flights on the route will double from once to twice weekly, according to a statement.

Uzbekistan Airways, the national carrier of the Republic of Uzbekistan, launched direct flights between Tashkent and Islamabad from June 14, 2025

At present, Uzbekistan Airways operates two weekly flights (Wednesdays and Fridays) on the “Tashkent–Lahore–Tashkent” route, and one weekly flight (Saturdays) on the “Tashkent–Islamabad–Tashkent” route.

“Due to consistently high demand, with flights running at full passenger capacity and tickets selling out several days in advance, the airline has decided to expand its schedule,” the embassy said.

It added that the move reflects growing relations between Uzbekistan and Pakistan, with transport and logistics — particularly air connectivity — playing a crucial role.

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The additional flights are expected to enhance convenience for travellers, strengthen trade and economic cooperation, encourage business partnerships, and support more frequent exchanges between the two nations.

Officials said the expansion also carries advantages for international passengers, as Tashkent International Airport serves as a strategic transit hub, offering connections to Europe, North America and Asia.

“The regular expansion of flight frequencies is a strategic step for both Uzbekistan and Pakistan, reflecting the growing partnership between the two nations and taking bilateral relations to a new level of cooperation and connectivity,” the statement said.

The embassy said the Tashkent–Islamabad route would also help strengthen people-to-people contacts by facilitating easier travel for students, pilgrims, tourists, academics, and official delegations.

Earlier this year, Pakistan and Uzbekistan vowed to take the volume of bilateral trade from current $400 million to $2 billion in the near future, besides agreeing to exploit the immense potential for cooperation in the fields of investment, connectivity and tourism.

The bilateral ties were discussed in the “fruitful” one-on-one meeting and the delegation-level talks between President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.