flydubai, the Dubai-based airline, celebrated its inaugural service to Samarkand, becoming the first UAE national carrierto operate direct flights from Dubai. The airline will operate a twice-weekly service from Dubai International (DXB) to Samarkand International Airport (SKD).With the start of flights to Samarkand, flydubai grows its networkin Central Asia to seven pointsserved by a fleet of 68 Boeing 737 aircraft, providing passengers from the UAE and the GCCwith more options for travel.
The inaugural flight landed at Samarkand International Airport (SKD) to a traditional water cannon salute. Senior local officials including GairatNematov, General Director at Air Marakanda welcomed thedelegation led by Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai.
Speaking at the press conference, Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, said: “flydubai is committed to opening up underserved markets and strengthening the links from Dubai and the UAE with the region. We are excited to see our network in Uzbekistan grow with the launch of flights to Samarkand. Since 2019 when we first started operations to Uzbekistan,we have seen sustainable demand and we are confident that the launch of our second destinationwill provide our passengers with more reliable and convenient options for travel.”
“I would also like to take the opportunity to thank Minister of Transport, Hakim of Samarkand region and Chairman of Uzbekistan Airports for their support and look forward to a long and successful relationship moving forward,” added Al Ghaith.
GairatNematov, General Director of the airport management company, Air Marakanda LLC, said: “The opening of a new route connecting Samarkand to Dubai will have a positive impact on the entire Samarkand region. Cooperating with our valued partners at flydubai, we have established a direct link between Samarkand International Airport and one of the biggest and most vibrant economic hubs in the world. Air Marakanda is very glad to welcome the new airline and we are committed to providepassengers to and from Dubai with a best-in-class airport experience.”
On 24 September,the airline also launches its twice-weekly service to Namangan, growing its network in the market to three destinationsserved with a total of 10 weekly flights.
Commenting on the start of operations, Jeyhun Efendi, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations and E-commerce at flydubai, said: “With Namangan and Samarkandjoining our network in Central Asia, we see our operations grow to seven points in four countries.Central Asia isan important market for flydubai and we continue to look for more opportunities to connect these markets with direct airlinks to Dubai’s aviation hub, making travel more accessible on the flydubai network and beyond.”
The carrier provides flightsto seven destinations in Central Asia including Almaty and Astana in Kazakhstan, Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan, Dushanbe in Tajikistan, as well as Namangan, Samarkand and Tashkent in Uzbekistan.