Following the introduction of a visa-free regime between Uzbekistan and China on June 1, 2025, two major Chinese airlines—Air China and China Eastern Airlines—have launched regular passenger flights to Tashkent for the first time.
Air China, the national carrier of China, has officially begun operating the Beijing–Tashkent–Beijing route. The inaugural flight landed at Tashkent Airport at 7:40 p.m. on July 19 and was greeted with a ceremonial water salute and applause. Passengers and crew aboard the Boeing 737 were welcomed with flowers and traditional music.
“We are pleased to offer direct service between the capitals of China and Uzbekistan. We are confident that this route will become an important link in the development of trade, tourism, and cultural ties,” a representative of the airline said, as quoted by the Uzbekistan Airports press service.
Air China will operate three flights per week—on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
China Eastern Airlines, another major Chinese carrier, has launched a Xi’an–Tashkent–Xi’an route. The first flight from Xi’an arrived in Tashkent at 2:38 p.m. on July 16, carrying 137 passengers. The arrival of the Airbus A320 was marked by a festive ceremony with flowers, music, and traditional snacks.
These flights will also operate three times a week—on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays—with a flight time of approximately 4.5 hours.
Demand for air travel surged after the visa-free regime between Uzbekistan and China came into effect on June 1, 2025. Citizens of both countries can now visit each other for up to 30 days per trip, with a total stay of no more than 90 days within any 180-day period. The new rules do not apply to employment, education, media activities, or visits to Hong Kong and Macau.
As of mid-July, Uzbekistan and China were connected by 29 direct regular flights per week, operated by five airlines, including three from Uzbekistan:
👉 Uzbekistan Airways serves Beijing, Ürümqi, Hangzhou, and Fergana–Ürümqi;
👉 Qanot Sharq operates flights to Guangzhou and the resort city of Sanya;
👉 Centrum Air flies to Guangzhou in southern China;
and two from China:
👉 China Southern Airlines, a leading carrier in terms of flight frequency, flies from Beijing, Ürümqi, and Samarkand;
👉 Loong Air connects Tashkent with Chengdu and Xi’an three times per week.
Now, Air China and China Eastern Airlines have joined the list. Plans are underway to increase the number of flights by adding new routes and expanding the geography of flights beyond the capital cities.
