Uzbekistan Steps Up Tourism Growth as Etihad Airways Expands Flights, Marketing and Regional Access
Published
Uzbekistan tourism growth is being supported by an agreement between Etihad Airways and the Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan, with stronger international promotion and easier regional access placed at the centre of the initiative. The Memorandum of Co-operation was signed during Arabian Travel Market 2026 in Dubai.
Under the arrangement, Uzbekistan will be promoted across Etihad’s global network through joint marketing, trade and promotional activity. The development matters because Etihad Airways flights to Tashkent have already been launched, while wider domestic connections are being offered through the Etihad Airways and Uzbekistan Airways partnership, strengthening travel to Uzbekistan and Central Asia tourism.
Uzbekistan Tourism Promotion to Be Expanded Through Etihad Network
Under the Memorandum of Co-operation, Uzbekistan will be promoted across Etihad Airways’ international network through joint marketing, promotional programmes and travel trade initiatives. The agreement was signed at Arabian Travel Market 2026 in Dubai by Aysha Saeed Al Kaabi, Vice President Commercial Enablement at Etihad Airways, and Abdulaziz Akkulov, Chairman of the Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan.
The collaboration is intended to strengthen the country’s international tourism profile and place more of its destinations before Etihad’s global passenger base. Uzbekistan was described by Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, as one of the most exciting new markets in the airline’s network. The daily Tashkent service and tourism memorandum were presented as measures that would support leisure demand.
Travel to Uzbekistan is also being linked with broader regional connectivity, allowing destination promotion and air access to be developed together. The memorandum is expected to raise Uzbekistan’s profile among guests using Etihad’s network.
Etihad Airways Flights to Tashkent Open New Regional Access
Etihad Airways flights to Tashkent began on 9 August 2026, marking the carrier’s first route to Uzbekistan. A daily non-stop Airbus A320 service was introduced between Abu Dhabi and Tashkent, creating a new gateway between the UAE capital and Central Asia.
The service is being supported by the Etihad Airways and Uzbekistan Airways partnership, which had already taken effect through a codeshare agreement on 15 May 2026. This arrangement allows Etihad passengers to continue their journeys within Uzbekistan on a single ticket.
The route has therefore been positioned as more than a point-to-point connection. International arrivals can be linked with domestic services, while the tourism agreement is being used to build awareness in overseas markets. For Central Asia tourism, the combination of daily flights, onward connections and coordinated destination marketing gives Uzbekistan a broader platform for reaching travellers connected to Etihad’s global network. The daily service complements the codeshare and gives Etihad a presence in Uzbekistan.
Eight Uzbek Destinations Become More Accessible Through Codeshare
Through the codeshare arrangement, Etihad guests have been given single-ticket access to eight additional Uzbek destinations: Samarkand, Bukhara, Urgench, Nukus, Termez, Fergana, Namangan and Andijan. Other routes on the Uzbekistan Airways network are also covered.
This wider access is central to the Etihad Airways and Uzbekistan Airways partnership because visitors are not being limited to Tashkent after entering the country. Samarkand and Bukhara were specifically highlighted by Etihad as destinations that can now be reached more easily through the combined network.
The arrangement also supports the Tourism Committee’s objective of improving access to destinations across Uzbekistan. By connecting international passengers with regional cities, travel to Uzbekistan can be distributed more widely. The model links long-haul network reach with domestic connectivity, while giving international guests more straightforward access to different parts of the country. Access is also being provided to routes across the Uzbekistan Airways network.
Uzbekistan Tourism Growth Backed by 9.1 Million Foreign Visitors
The agreement has been announced while Uzbekistan tourism growth continues to be reflected in official figures provided by the Tourism Committee. Between January and August 2026, 9.1 million foreign tourists visited the country, while tourism service exports reached USD 4.6 billion.
Akkulov said the priority was not only to sustain growth but also to widen inbound tourism, improve access to destinations nationwide and strengthen Uzbekistan’s presence in international tourism markets. The memorandum with Etihad Airways is intended to support those objectives through promotion and market reach.
The strategy is therefore being built around both visibility and connectivity. International promotion is being expanded through Etihad, while regional access is being supported through Uzbekistan Airways. Together, those elements are being used to strengthen Central Asia tourism links and make more Uzbek destinations accessible to overseas travellers. The agreement brings promotion, access and trade activity together within one tourism-focused framework.
Conclusion
Uzbekistan tourism growth is being reinforced through closer aviation and destination marketing links with Etihad Airways. The new memorandum adds promotion and trade activity to connectivity already created by daily Abu Dhabi–Tashkent services and the codeshare arrangement with Uzbekistan Airways.
Together, these measures are widening access to Samarkand, Bukhara and six other Uzbek destinations on a single ticket. With 9.1 million foreign tourists recorded between January and August 2026 and tourism service exports reaching USD 4.6 billion, the agreement has been positioned as another step towards broader inbound reach, stronger international visibility and easier travel across Uzbekistan for overseas visitors.
