Uzbekistan’s expanding low cost aviation sector is gaining fresh momentum as private carrier Centrum Air launches new direct flights between Tashkent and the Russian city of Perm, bolstering regional connectivity for workers, students and leisure travelers.

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Centrum Air Links Tashkent and Perm as Uzbekistan Travel Grows

New Tashkent–Perm Route Joins Expanding Russia Network

Publicly available information from Centrum Air shows that the airline has added a direct Tashkent–Perm service as part of a broader expansion into Russia’s Ural and Volga regions. The route sits alongside new links from the Uzbek capital to Yekaterinburg and Ufa, positioning Tashkent as a growing hub for travel between Central Asia and important Russian regional centers.

According to the carrier’s published schedule, flights on the Tashkent–Perm route are set to operate once weekly on Mondays, with services starting from 7 September 2026. Promotional fares from around 2.7 million Uzbek soums one way are advertised in the domestic market, bringing the pricing closer to what many Uzbek travelers expect from a low cost model.

Industry route trackers indicate that Centrum Air is the sole operator of nonstop flights between Perm’s Bolshoye Savino Airport and Tashkent’s Islam Karimov International Airport. This creates a new direct option where passengers previously relied on connections through Moscow or other hubs, reducing total journey times for trips in both directions.

Regional media in Russia report that the airline has secured the necessary slots to begin operating the Perm flights, and airport timetable data now lists Centrum Air on the Tashkent route. Together, these open sources suggest that the link is intended as a stable addition to the network rather than a short seasonal charter.

Uzbekistan’s Private Airline Sector Steps Into the Spotlight

The new Tashkent–Perm connection reflects the rapid emergence of private carriers in Uzbekistan’s aviation market. Airline profiles and official company information describe Centrum Air as a low cost airline headquartered at Tashkent International Airport, created in early 2023 as part of reforms aimed at widening air travel options for residents and visitors.

Data compiled by regional aviation organizations and reference sites list Centrum Air among several new low cost or hybrid operators that have appeared across Central Asia in the past few years. Analysts have highlighted Uzbekistan as one of the more dynamic markets, with private airlines complementing legacy flag carrier Uzbekistan Airways and adding competition on both domestic and international routes.

Centrum Air’s own materials present the company as one of the country’s largest private airlines, with a network spanning more than 50 destinations and millions of passengers carried since launch. The airline promotes a strategy of steady route expansion and technology upgrades, framing low fares and accessibility as core parts of its mission.

Market observers note that the introduction of routes such as Tashkent–Perm aligns with wider efforts to develop Tashkent as a regional hub. As low cost carriers add more point to point connections, travelers in secondary cities gain direct access to international destinations without needing to route through traditional gateway hubs.

The decision to open a direct service to Perm is supported by the airline’s recent fleet expansion. Company announcements and aircraft intelligence databases indicate that Centrum Air operates a young, all Airbus fleet drawn from the A320 family and the larger A330 widebody type, suited to both medium haul and longer range operations.

In February 2026, Centrum Air reported the arrival of its fourth Airbus A330, bringing the fleet at that time to 15 aircraft. A further A320 joined in May 2026, raising the total to 16 aircraft and strengthening the carrier’s capacity on routes around the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Middle East and Asia.

Separate fleet listings compiled by industry data providers show Centrum Air with multiple A320 and A321neo aircraft, whose range and economics match routes like Tashkent–Perm. These narrowbody jets are typically configured in all economy layouts, a format that supports the airline’s low cost positioning while allowing for high seat density on medium haul sectors.

By deploying efficient narrowbody aircraft on the new Russian regional routes and reserving its A330 widebodies for higher volume or longer haul services, the carrier is following a pattern common among fast growing low cost and hybrid operators. This aircraft mix gives it flexibility to test new markets such as Perm while maintaining utilization on established trunk routes.

The addition of direct flights between Tashkent and Perm also has wider significance for movement between Central Asia and Russia’s Ural region. Perm, located on the Kama River, is recognized as an important industrial and cultural center, with sectors ranging from energy and manufacturing to education and the arts. Direct air connectivity shortens the journey for Uzbek workers and students heading to the city, and for Russian travelers exploring emerging tourism offerings in Uzbekistan.

Travel and economic development strategies for Central Asia emphasize the role of affordable air links in supporting labor mobility, small business trade and tourism. With Uzbekistan sending notable numbers of migrant workers to Russia and simultaneously seeking to attract inbound visitors, extra non stop routes are viewed by analysts as a practical tool to support these goals.

The new connection also complements Centrum Air’s growing Russian portfolio, which already includes services from Tashkent to major cities such as Moscow and regional centers like Yekaterinburg and Ufa. Network maps and schedule data suggest that these links collectively improve access between Uzbekistan and several key industrial corridors in Russia, reducing reliance on a handful of long established routes.

While the Tashkent–Perm flight currently operates with a modest weekly frequency, observers of the region’s aviation sector often see such launches as test beds for future growth. Load factors and seasonal demand in the coming months are likely to determine whether additional frequencies or new city pairs follow as Uzbekistan’s travel market continues to evolve.

Outlook for Travelers Planning Central Asia–Russia Trips

For passengers, the launch of Centrum Air’s Tashkent–Perm service means another itinerary choice in a market where low cost options have been comparatively limited. Online travel forums and ticketing platforms show growing interest in budget friendly routes across Central Asia and between Uzbekistan and Russia, even as travelers weigh factors such as service reliability and baggage policies.

Travel planning tools indicate that the new flight currently sits alongside existing rail and multi stop air options linking Perm with Uzbekistan. The nonstop routing cuts out transfers and may appeal to time sensitive travelers, while those with more flexible schedules may continue to compare pricing across rail corridors and connecting air services.

With Uzbekistan promoting itself as an accessible destination for culture, history and nature focused tourism, any additional air corridor helps diversify entry points to the country. Industry specialists suggest that the combination of private low cost carriers and more established airlines could gradually reshape how visitors approach multi city trips across Central Asia and neighboring regions.

As Centrum Air integrates Tashkent–Perm into its timetable, the route is likely to be watched closely as an indicator of how much new demand exists for direct travel between Uzbekistan and Russia’s regional centers. Performance on this and similar services will inform future decisions about where the next wave of Central Asia’s low cost expansion takes off.