Today, August 10, Tashkent International Airport held a ceremonial welcome for Etihad Airways' first flight on the Abu Dhabi–Tashkent route. The Airbus A320 touched down in Tashkent at 2:05 a.m. In keeping with aviation tradition, the aircraft was greeted with a water cannon salute, while passengers and crew were welcomed with national sweets and flowers.
A celebratory ceremony took place in the airport's arrivals area, attended by representatives of the Tourism Committee, Etihad Airways, Uzbekistan Airports, and the UAE Embassy in Uzbekistan. The event featured welcoming remarks from the organizers, followed by a ribbon-cutting to mark the launch of the new route. The ceremony concluded with the cutting of a celebratory cake and a group photo of participants.
Flights will operate daily on Airbus A320 aircraft, giving passengers convenient air travel between the capitals of Uzbekistan and the UAE.
For Uzbekistan, expanding international transport connectivity is a key driver of sustainable growth in the tourism sector. The direct route to Abu Dhabi makes travel more convenient for UAE residents and gives international travelers passing through one of the region's largest aviation hubs easier access to Uzbekistan.
The new route's launch is one of the first tangible results of cooperation between Uzbekistan's Tourism Committee and Etihad Airways under a joint marketing campaign to promote Uzbekistan's tourism potential in the UAE market.
Expanding international air connectivity remains one of the key tools for boosting Uzbekistan's appeal as a tourist destination. Strengthening ties with leading global carriers helps reinforce the country's international connectivity, opens new avenues for attracting foreign tourists, and supports steady growth in inbound tourism.
Etihad Airways is the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, founded in 2003 and headquartered at Abu Dhabi International Airport. The airline operates an extensive route network and is widely regarded as one of the world's leading carriers. Etihad consistently earns high marks in international industry rankings for flight safety, service quality, and passenger care, and holds a 4-star quality rating from the independent British agency Skytrax.
