Uzbekistan’s Air Samarkand has launched its inaugural flight from Samarkand to Jeddah, marking a new milestone for the airline.

 

The airline was earlier granted approval to launch regular flights to Saudi Arabia, enhancing connectivity between the two nations.

 

The Kingdom’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) authorised the airline to commence regular operations twice a week starting July 30, according to a statement.

 

Air Samarkand’s CEO, Zafar Butaev, commented: “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.”

 

Mazen Johar, CEO of Jeddah Airports Company (JEDCO) and Mr Majid Khan, CEO of the Saudi Air Connectivity Program, said: “We are delighted to see Air Samarkand’s entry into our coastal city of Jeddah from Samarkand. New flights will further help to grow connectivity to our largest airport of KSA and grow inbound tourism from the Uzbek market to Saudi Arabia.”

 

The new connectivity represents a significant step in strengthening aviation links between Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia. It offers Uzbek Muslims a convenient way to visit the most revered holy sites in the Islamic world.