The inaugural direct flight of Uzbekistan Airways from Tashkent to Islamabad received a warm welcome on its landing at Islamabad International Airport on Saturday.

Uzbekistan Ambassador to Pakistan Alisher Tukhtaev, Pakistan Tourism Development Cooperation Managing Director Aftabur Rehman Rana, Islamabad Airport Manager Syed Aftab Ali Shah Gilani, Uzbekistan Airways Country Manager Bakhtiyor Muminov, diplomats from other Central Asian states and other high officials from Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA), PTDC, Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) were present on this occasion.

Uzbekistan envoy Tukhtaev said that the launch of Uzbekistan Airways' direct flight would greatly strengthen the economic and trade ties between the two countries and reduce the distance between the people of the two countries.

He also added that this direct air link marks a strategic advancement in bilateral relations and aligns with the broader goals of the Central and South Asia Connectivity Initiatives.

The PTDC Managing Director, Aftab, said this weekly flight between the two capitals, commencing from today, marks a significant step forward in strengthening air connectivity between the two brotherly nations.

He hailed the initiative as a major milestone in advancing regional cooperation. He noted that the direct flight fulfils a long-standing demand raised in various regional forums, such as ECO and SCO, to improve connectivity between Central Asia and South Asia.

"This new route will not only deepen bilateral ties across multiple sectors but also play a pivotal role in boosting regional tourism, fostering people-to-people contact, facilitating business travel, educational exchange, and promoting cultural cooperation," he said.

Highlighting the tourism potential, Rana emphasised that the direct air link will significantly enhance two-way tourist flows.

"For Pakistani travellers, Uzbekistan's legendary Silk Road cities — Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva — are now more accessible than ever. Similarly, Uzbek tourists can now explore Pakistan's majestic northern mountains, spiritual heritage sites, and vibrant cultural landmarks with greater ease," he added.

He further stated that tourism exchanges between Pakistan and Uzbekistan have been steadily growing in recent years, driven by shared historical roots, cultural affinity, and religious heritage.

The new air service offers a convenient, cost-effective, and reliable travel option for tourists, students, and pilgrims seeking enriching cross-border experiences, he concluded.

Earlier this year, Uzbekistan announced plans to launch a new direct flight route to Karachi in a bid to foster closer ties between the two nations.

Ambassador Tukhtaev shared that Uzbekistan implemented a soft visa regime for Pakistani citizens in September 2023, facilitating business and tourist travel.

This initiative, coupled with the recently launched direct flights between Tashkent and Lahore, underscores Uzbekistan's commitment to fostering people-to-people connections and promoting mutual understanding.

Highlighting the trade potential, the ambassador noted that mutual trade between Uzbekistan and Pakistan has tripled over the past five years, rising from $122 million in 2019 to $387 million in 2023.

He stressed the untapped opportunities for further collaboration, particularly in sectors such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, leather and tannery, food processing, and agribusiness.

The ambassador also commended the success of the "Made in Pakistan" single-country exhibition held in Tashkent in June last year, which provided an invaluable platform for entrepreneurs from both nations to forge new trade and investment agreements.

Building on this momentum, he announced plans for a "Made in Uzbekistan" industrial exhibition in Karachi this year, expressing confidence that it would further strengthen economic ties.