UAE-Uzbekistan travel: Etihad Airways opens new Central Asia gateway with daily Tashkent flights from Abu Dhabi
Codeshare partnership unlocks eight additional destinations across the Central Asian country
ABU DHABI – Etihad Airways has officially launched its first route to Uzbekistan with the arrival of a sold-out inaugural flight in Tashkent, establishing a new direct link between Abu Dhabi and the Central Asian capital.
The national airline of the UAE will operate a daily non-stop service on the route, connecting travellers in Uzbekistan with Abu Dhabi and Etihad’s expanding international network. The launch also strengthens aviation links between the UAE and Uzbekistan as travel, tourism and business ties between the two markets continue to grow.
The new service positions Abu Dhabi as a key gateway between Central Asia and major destinations across the GCC, Europe, the Levant and North America. Travellers from Uzbekistan can use Abu Dhabi as a connection point to Etihad’s wider network, while passengers travelling from international markets gain direct access to Tashkent.
Abu Dhabi-Tashkent route
Etihad’s new route is supported by its recently introduced codeshare partnership with Uzbekistan Airways. The agreement allows passengers to travel beyond Tashkent to eight destinations across Uzbekistan: Andijan, Bukhara, Fergana, Namangan, Nukus, Samarkand, Termez and Urgench.
The partnership also provides access to selected international destinations served through the Uzbekistan Airways network, extending the reach of the new Abu Dhabi-Tashkent connection.
For travellers heading to the UAE, the service provides direct access to Abu Dhabi’s major attractions and growing tourism offering. The capital is home to landmarks including Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Saadiyat Island, alongside the entertainment attractions of Yas Island, as well as a broad range of resorts, hospitality and leisure experiences.
The route also opens greater access to Uzbekistan for travellers across Etihad’s network. Tashkent offers a gateway to a country known for its historic cities, architectural heritage and rapidly developing urban centres, while destinations such as Samarkand and Bukhara are among its major cultural attractions.
Growing demand
Frank Meyer, Chief Digital Officer of Etihad Airways, said the inaugural flight marked an important milestone in the airline’s network expansion and described Uzbekistan as one of Central Asia’s dynamic and fast-growing markets.
He said the daily non-stop service would create a new gateway between Central Asia and the wider world through Abu Dhabi, supported by Etihad’s network and hospitality offering.
The airline said the new route has been introduced to meet growing demand for travel between Uzbekistan, the UAE and key international markets. It is expected to support increased tourism flows and provide stronger links for businesses and travellers moving between the two countries and beyond.
The Tashkent launch forms part of Etihad’s broader network expansion strategy, with the airline adding connections between Abu Dhabi and high-potential international markets. Its growing presence in Central Asia is also reinforcing the UAE capital’s role as a connecting point between markets across the East and West.