Tashkent International Airport gave a ceremonial welcome on August 10 to the first Etihad Airways flight from Abu Dhabi, Uzbekistan Airports' press service reported.
According to the announcement, flights will operate daily aboard Airbus A320 aircraft. The inaugural flight touched down in Tashkent at 1:35 a.m. and was greeted with a traditional water cannon salute, in keeping with aviation custom.
"This new daily direct route to Abu Dhabi will strengthen business and tourism ties between our two countries, while giving passengers convenient transit access to destinations worldwide through one of the region's largest aviation hubs," an Uzbekistan Airports representative said.
The possibility of UAE carrier Etihad Airways entering the Uzbek market was first reported in 2022. In July 2025, it was reported that Etihad was planning to launch flights between Abu Dhabi and Tashkent. That October, Uzbekistan's civil aviation agency granted Etihad Airways a permit to operate scheduled flights to Uzbekistan.
Etihad Airways is the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, founded in 2003 and based at Abu Dhabi International Airport. The airline is ranked among the world's leading carriers and holds a 4-star rating from the independent British aviation consultancy Skytrax.
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