Uzbekistan, Indonesia expand air links

Agreement raises number of weekly flights from 3 to 28, with special attention to promoting pilgrimage tourism 

JAKARTA, Indonesia (MNTV) – Uzbekistan and Indonesia have reached an agreement to increase air traffic between the two countries, raising the number of weekly flights from 3 to 28, reports Daryo.

The agreement was the result of recent talks in Jakarta between an Uzbek delegation, led by Ambassador Oybek Eshonov, and Indonesian civil aviation authorities. 

The discussions focused on enhancing civil aviation cooperation, with special attention to expanding pilgrimage tourism. 

Representatives from major Indonesian airlines — AirAsia, Batik Air, and Garuda Indonesia — participated in the negotiations. They explored the launch of regular passenger and cargo flights and discussed potential collaboration under the Umrah Plus program and wider tourist transportation across Central Asia and Indonesia. 

Under the new arrangement, there will be 14 passenger and 14 cargo flights. The agreement also removes restrictions on the number of airlines allowed to operate between the two countries. 

Uzbek airlines will now be permitted to operate flights beyond Jakarta to 11 additional Indonesian cities, including Denpasar (Bali), Yogyakarta, Lombok, Surabaya, Medan, and Banda Aceh. 

Indonesian carriers will gain access to all international airports in Uzbekistan.

The agreement replaces the previous 1995 bilateral aviation agreement between Uzbekistan Airways and Indonesian authorities. It is set to be approved at the intergovernmental level in the coming months. 

The agreements are expected to boost the number of airlines operating between Uzbekistan and Indonesia, support the growth of pilgrimage tourism through the Umrah Plus program, and expand both passenger and cargo air traffic.