Uzbekistan’s largest private carrier, Centrum Air, is set to deepen ties between Central and South Asia with the launch of a new nonstop route between Tashkent and Lahore, beginning March 30, 2026. Operated twice weekly with Airbus A320 aircraft, the service is designed to cater to both leisure visitors and business travelers, further strengthening fast-growing links between Uzbekistan and Pakistan while supporting Tashkent’s role as a rising regional air hub.

The Tashkent Lahore service marks a significant milestone in connectivity between Uzbekistan and Pakistan, two countries that have been working to expand cooperation in trade, tourism, transport and cultural exchange. The new flights will create a direct air bridge between Uzbekistan’s capital and Pakistan’s second largest city, complementing existing services that connect Tashkent with Islamabad and Lahore and adding capacity on a corridor where demand has been steadily increasing.

Centrum Air plans to operate the route twice a week, offering a regular schedule aimed at both short business trips and longer leisure stays. The airline has highlighted that the new link is expected to support not only tourism and family visits but also commercial and investment activity, opening opportunities for companies in sectors such as textiles, agriculture, logistics, education and services.

Officials in both countries view the route as part of a wider push to enhance direct transport connections across the region. The service will help reduce travel times, cut reliance on indirect routings via third countries and give passengers more choice on fares and timings, making it easier to plan cross border trips.

Twice Weekly Airbus A320 Service Focused on Comfort and Efficiency

Centrum Air will deploy its single aisle Airbus A320 aircraft on the Tashkent Lahore route, aligning the new service with its broader strategy of operating modern, fuel efficient jets on regional and medium haul sectors. The Airbus A320, configured with around 180 seats in an all economy layout, offers a balance of capacity, operating efficiency and passenger comfort suited to flights of a few hours’ duration across Eurasia.

The aircraft type is already a mainstay of Centrum Air’s fleet, used on routes across the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Middle East and parts of Asia. The carrier has continued to expand its A320 family fleet in recent months, emphasizing ergonomic seating, a bright cabin environment and reliable performance as core attributes for travelers choosing its services. For passengers flying between Uzbekistan and Pakistan, this translates into a consistent on board experience in line with the airline’s other regional routes.

While detailed schedules and timings for the Tashkent Lahore flights are expected to be finalized within the wider summer 2026 season, the twice weekly pattern will provide regular, predictable connectivity. This is particularly important for business travelers who need stable schedules and for tour operators looking to build packages that align with fixed departure days.

Tashkent’s Evolution as a Regional Transit Hub

The launch of the Tashkent Lahore route comes as Centrum Air accelerates the development of Tashkent as a modern transit hub linking Europe, the Middle East and Asia. In parallel with new services to Pakistan, the airline has announced or begun operating additional international routes, including new flights to destinations such as Delhi, Frankfurt, Copenhagen and leisure markets in the Maldives and Vietnam.

By adding Lahore to its network, Centrum Air creates further options for travelers to connect via Tashkent to a growing list of points in Europe and Asia. Passengers from Pakistan will gain more one stop access to cities including Frankfurt, Copenhagen and Delhi, as well as to resort destinations that appeal to holidaymakers and families. In turn, travelers originating in Central Asia, Europe or India will have a new connection option into Pakistan’s cultural and commercial heartland.

For Tashkent itself, additional routes like Tashkent Lahore reinforce its status as a key aviation gateway in Central Asia. The city already serves as a primary hub for inbound tourism to Uzbekistan’s historic destinations such as Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, and Centrum Air’s focus on growing its network is expected to channel more regional transit traffic through the capital in the years ahead.

Tourism Opportunities Between Lahore and Uzbekistan

The new nonstop service is expected to give a tangible boost to tourism flows in both directions. Uzbekistan has rapidly increased its profile as a destination for international visitors, promoting its Silk Road heritage, Islamic architecture, cuisine and cultural festivals. In recent years, Pakistan has become an increasingly important source market for Uzbek tourism, with tens of thousands of visitors traveling annually for religious, cultural and leisure purposes.

Direct flights from Lahore, a city known for its historic mosques, Mughal architecture and vibrant street life, are likely to appeal to Pakistani travelers who wish to explore the ancient cities of Central Asia. Easier access and shorter travel times could encourage more first time visitors as well as repeat travelers seeking tailored itineraries that combine spiritual sites, heritage tours and modern city experiences in Tashkent.

At the same time, the route opens the door for more visitors from Uzbekistan and neighboring countries to discover Lahore and Pakistan’s wider tourism offering. From the old city and the Lahore Fort to nearby hill stations and cultural festivals, the region provides a broad mix of attractions that are now more accessible to Central Asian visitors via Centrum Air’s network.

Beyond tourism, the Tashkent Lahore connection is expected to facilitate trade and investment flows between Uzbekistan and Pakistan. Both countries have been exploring avenues to deepen economic cooperation in areas such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, food processing, energy and logistics, and direct air links play an important role in underpinning such efforts.

For business travelers, the new flights mean less time spent on multi stop journeys, as well as better alignment of trip planning with project cycles, meetings and trade fairs. More predictable and competitively priced air services can also improve the viability of cross border ventures, as executives and specialists can travel more frequently and at shorter notice.

The route is also being introduced in parallel with new cargo connectivity. Dedicated freight services to Karachi by a separate Uzbek carrier are planned to enhance logistics channels for goods, while Centrum Air’s passenger flights have the potential to carry bellyhold cargo on the Tashkent Lahore sector. Together, these developments are expected to support supply chains between the two countries and encourage exporters and importers to explore new market opportunities.

Centrum Air’s Expanding Network and Fleet Strategy

The launch of Tashkent Lahore forms part of a broader network expansion by Centrum Air as it positions itself as a key private carrier in Uzbekistan and the wider region. In recent seasons, the airline has opened or announced multiple new routes, including to European gateways such as Frankfurt and Copenhagen and to popular travel destinations across Asia and the Indian Ocean.

Central to this growth has been the continued expansion and modernization of the carrier’s fleet. The addition of new Airbus A320 aircraft, including recent deliveries, has increased capacity and allowed Centrum Air to densify its schedule while maintaining a relatively young and efficient fleet. On longer sectors, the airline has deployed Airbus A321neo aircraft, which offer extended range, improved fuel burn and a quieter cabin, complementing the A320 on shorter and medium haul routes.

Executives have framed the carrier’s strategy as one focused on building sustainable air bridges that serve both point to point demand and transit traffic through Tashkent. Each new route, including the forthcoming Tashkent Lahore service starting March 30, 2026, is positioned as a way to connect communities, support business and tourism and enhance Uzbekistan’s integration into regional and global air transport networks.

Competitive Landscape and Passenger Choice on the Pakistan Corridor

The entry of Centrum Air on the Tashkent Lahore route introduces additional competition and choice for passengers traveling between Uzbekistan and Pakistan. The market is already served by other carriers operating routes from Tashkent to Islamabad and Lahore, and overall passenger numbers on these corridors have grown in recent years in step with rising tourism and business activity.

By adding a twice weekly Airbus A320 service, Centrum Air increases the available seat capacity and schedule options, which may help drive more competitive pricing and improve flexibility for travelers planning trips. The airline’s presence could also encourage further product differentiation, with carriers seeking to distinguish themselves through onboard services, baggage policies, transit offerings and loyalty benefits.

For passengers based in secondary cities, the new route and Centrum Air’s broader network may open additional one stop connections via Tashkent to destinations beyond Pakistan. This multiplies the potential impact of the route, extending its benefits beyond the immediate Tashkent Lahore market to a wider pool of travelers across Central Asia, South Asia and, through onward links, Europe and the Middle East.

Outlook Ahead of the March 30, 2026 Launch

As Centrum Air prepares for the inaugural Tashkent Lahore flight on March 30, 2026, travel industry observers will be watching booking trends and early load factors as indicators of underlying demand. The alignment of the launch with the start of the summer 2026 schedule, as well as with the airline’s wider network roll out, suggests a coordinated approach to building connectivity at a time when cross border travel across Eurasia continues to recover and expand.

Travel agents and tour operators in both Uzbekistan and Pakistan are expected to integrate the new service into package offerings, particularly those that link historical and religious tourism with city stays and regional excursions. Business councils and trade organizations may also look to the route as a practical tool for organizing delegations, trade missions and sector specific events that rely on predictable, direct air service.

With its twice weekly Airbus A320 operation, Centrum Air is positioning the Tashkent Lahore route as a long term component of its network rather than a seasonal experiment. If demand develops as anticipated, the service could see increased frequencies or additional capacity in future seasons, further underscoring the corridor’s growing importance for both tourists and business travelers across Central and South Asia.