Uzbekistan’s new carrier Air Samarkand has completed its first flights between Samarkand and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, expanding operations that began months ago.
The approximately 4-hour flight was operated by an Airbus A321neo, one of the airline’s three jets.
The route to Jeddah is targeted at religious pilgrims heading to Mecca and Medina, Air Samarkand explained.
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“We are proud to offer our passengers new opportunities for travel and spiritual growth, with new flights that strengthen the ties between Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia. There is growing interest worldwide in Islamic cultural tourism, so we are meeting that need with these new services, which will build on the unique historical legacy and ties between our two countries,” said Zafar Butaev, Air Samarkand’s CEO.
Air Samarkand launched international flights in December 2023 with a widebody A330-300 and an A321ceo, with the first scheduled flights operating from March 21 to Istanbul.
A single A321neo joined the fleet in March and configured with 221 seats. The flight between Samarkand and Medina, however, will be operated with the A330 from August.
The airline aims to establish new destinations in 2024 including countries such as China, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Korea, as well as targeting routes to Europe.
