By Tariq Iqbal Chaudhry
Uzbek private airline announces twice-weekly flights from Karachi as it seeks to boost tourism, travel and trade ties between Pakistan and Uzbekistan
ISLAMABAD : Uzbekistan’s private airline Centrum Air has announced the launch of twice-weekly direct flights between Karachi and Tashkent as part of its efforts to promote tourism and strengthen connectivity between Pakistan and Uzbekistan. The airline will formally begin its Karachi flight operations on September 3, coinciding with celebrations marking Uzbekistan’s 35th Independence Day.
Centrum Air’s Head of Agents Department in Pakistan, Adil Mirza khalmirzaev, made the announcement while speaking to Urdu Report during an Independence Day event held at a local hotel in Islamabad.
He said that after launching services from Lahore, Centrum Air was now expanding its operations to Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, by establishing direct air connectivity with Tashkent.
“The launch of Karachi-Tashkent flights will be an important milestone in promoting two-way tourism between Pakistan and Uzbekistan,” he said, adding that the airline was working to strengthen tourism, travel and commercial links between the two countries.
Speaking to Urdu Report
In an exclusive conversation with Urdu Report and while speaking at a tourism roadshow organised by the Embassy of Uzbekistan, Adil Mirza khalmirzaev said Centrum Air was playing an important role in promoting tourism between Uzbekistan and Pakistan.
He said travelling from Pakistan to Uzbekistan could be affordable and convenient, particularly with direct air connectivity. Compared with domestic air travel between major Pakistani cities, passengers could reach another country with only a little additional travel time and enjoy a completely different tourism experience.
Daily Afaq Chief Editor Ejaz Cheema was also present on the occasion.
Mirzakhlmerzov also encouraged women to explore tourism opportunities in Uzbekistan, saying they should be provided greater opportunities to travel and discover new destinations.
He said accommodation, food and other tourism-related expenses in Uzbekistan were relatively affordable, while Pakistani visitors could also experience the country’s rich Islamic heritage, culture and history.
Uzbekistan is home to some of Central Asia’s most celebrated historic cities, including Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, which attract international visitors because of their architecture, cultural heritage and centuries-old Islamic history.
Centrum Air Expands International Flight Network
khalmirzaev said Centrum Air provides quality services to its passengers and operates flights not only between Pakistan and Uzbekistan but also to several international destinations.
He said the airline’s expanding network also provides passengers with connecting flight options for onward travel to other countries through Uzbekistan.
He added that cargo transportation was another important part of the wider aviation business associated with the group, enabling goods to be transported between destinations safely and efficiently.
Centrum Air is a privately owned Uzbek airline established on January 18, 2023. It began commercial flight operations in February 2023 and has its main operational base at Tashkent International Airport. Despite being a relatively young airline, it has rapidly expanded its international network.
Connecting Uzbekistan with the World
Centrum Air operates services linking Uzbekistan with destinations in Pakistan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Georgia, India, China, Thailand, South Korea, the Maldives, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and parts of Europe.
In Pakistan, the airline’s network now includes Lahore and Karachi, strengthening direct air connectivity with Tashkent and providing new opportunities for tourism, business and people-to-people exchanges between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.
Centrum Air’s passenger fleet includes Airbus A320, A320neo, A321neo and A330 aircraft. The airline has been expanding both its fleet and route network as part of its international growth strategy.
Centrum Air primarily operates passenger services, while My Freighter, which is associated with the same aviation business group, specialises in cargo operations with a dedicated freighter fleet.
The airline’s growing international network connects Uzbekistan with dozens of destinations across Asia, the Middle East and Europe, positioning Tashkent as an increasingly important transit point for passengers travelling between Pakistan and other international destinations.
