Etihad launches daily Abu Dhabi to Tashkent flights as Uzbekistan demand grows

Etihad Airways has introduced daily non-stop flights from Abu Dhabi to Tashkent, marking the UAE's first route to Uzbekistan. The airline's sole service, flight EY830, takes off from Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport at 8:35 PM, touching down in Tashkent at 2:05 AM the following morning. The reverse flight, EY831, departs Tashkent at 3:25 AM, arriving in Abu Dhabi at 6:55 AM.

Both flights operate under an Airbus A320 and have a duration of approximately 4.5 hours. As of September 1, flight EY830 will depart Abu Dhabi at 9:20 PM, arriving in Tashkent at 1:50 AM, with the return journey from Tashkent taking off at 3:35 AM and landing in Abu Dhabi at 6:25 AM. This launch expands Etihad's footprint in Central Asia, coinciding with Uzbekistan's rising popularity as both a tourist and business destination.

Frank Meyer, Etihad's chief digital officer, hailed the launch as a "proud moment" and an "important milestone" in the airline's network expansion. Uzbekistan, noted Meyer, is one of Central Asia's most dynamic and rapidly growing markets, boasting rich cultural heritage, strong tourism appeal, and increasing economic significance.

The new route caters to the growing demand for travel between Uzbekistan, the UAE, and other international markets, with Abu Dhabi offering onward connections to Europe, North America, the GCC, and the Levant. The airline's introduction of this route aligns with a new codeshare agreement with Uzbekistan Airways, allowing Etihad passengers to connect through Tashkent to eight other destinations within Uzbekistan.

While Etihad is not the sole UAE carrier linking Abu Dhabi and Tashkent; Emirates and flydubai already operate direct flights between Dubai and Tashkent, and Air Arabia serves the city from Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. Uzbekistan Airways also provides daily services from Tashkent to both Dubai and Abu Dhabi.