More news on this day
Uzbekistan’s private carrier Centrum Air is set to launch direct flights between Tashkent and Osh on 1 April 2026, a short new air bridge expected to deepen tourism and business ties across Central Asia.
New Short-Haul Link Between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan
Centrum Air announced that it will begin operating regular flights on the Tashkent–Osh route from 1 April 2026, adding a fresh international link to its growing regional network. The service will connect the Uzbek capital with southern Kyrgyzstan’s largest city, long regarded as an important trading post and cultural hub in the Ferghana Valley.
The carrier plans to operate the route twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, using Airbus A320 family aircraft. With a scheduled flight time of just 1 hour 10 minutes, the new connection offers one of the quickest cross-border journeys within Central Asia, significantly cutting travel times compared with road crossings over the border.
Centrum Air describes the route as suitable for both business travel and visits to family and friends, reflecting the strong cultural and economic ties between communities on both sides of the frontier. The launch also aligns with efforts by Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan to streamline border formalities and encourage more two-way travel.
Round-trip fares are set to start from around 1.5 million Uzbek soums, excluding checked baggage, positioning the service as a competitively priced option for cross-border trips. Industry observers say this pricing will be crucial in attracting passengers who might otherwise rely on buses, shared taxis or multi-stop itineraries via other hubs.
Gateway to a Broader Central Asian Network
Beyond point-to-point demand, Centrum Air is marketing Tashkent as a connecting hub for passengers starting their journey in Osh. The schedule for the new service has been designed to align with onward flights from Tashkent to other cities in Uzbekistan and to a selection of international destinations across Asia, the Middle East and Europe.
In recent seasons the airline has rolled out routes from Tashkent to destinations including Guangzhou, Male, Istanbul, Frankfurt and Copenhagen, while also connecting other Uzbek cities to key regional centers. By feeding passengers from Osh into this network, the new route effectively plugs southern Kyrgyzstan into a wider web of affordable air links.
Travel analysts say this could reshape travel patterns in the Ferghana Valley, where travelers have traditionally relied on overland journeys and fragmented connections. With a single ticket and coordinated timings, passengers from Osh will be able to reach beach destinations, major Asian commercial hubs and European capitals with just one transfer in Tashkent.
For Centrum Air, the route reinforces its strategy of building Tashkent into a modern transit node between East and West, using relatively short regional segments to support long-haul and medium-haul services. The airline’s growing fleet of narrowbody aircraft allows it to deploy capacity flexibly on these emerging corridors.
Tourism Prospects for Osh and the Ferghana Valley
Tourism stakeholders in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan are positioning the new flights as a catalyst for broader regional travel. Osh, nestled among the mountains of southern Kyrgyzstan, is a gateway to trekking routes, highland pastures and cross-border cultural itineraries that link historic cities on both sides of the frontier.
Digital travel platforms and regional tour operators are expected to package Tashkent–Osh itineraries that combine Uzbekistan’s Silk Road landmarks with Kyrgyzstan’s trekking and adventure tourism. Short-stay city breaks, weekend market visits and combined cultural and culinary tours are all being discussed as potential growth segments.
The easier air link is also likely to support domestic tourism within Uzbekistan, as residents gain a more convenient option for exploring neighboring Kyrgyzstan. At the same time, inbound visitors from Europe, the Middle East and Asia flying into Tashkent on Centrum Air or partner carriers may now consider adding Osh to their regional circuit without needing complex overland arrangements.
Local authorities and businesses in Osh have been calling for improved international air connections to support hotel investments, guesthouses and small tourism enterprises. The Tashkent link, if it performs well, could bolster the case for additional seasonal or charter services in the coming years.
Strengthening Cross-Border Trade and Community Links
While tourism is a major focus, the new Tashkent–Osh flights are also expected to benefit trade and small business across the Ferghana Valley. The region’s economy is built on agriculture, light industry and cross-border commerce, with many traders moving frequently between markets in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.
A short, predictable air connection can be especially attractive for time-sensitive travel, business negotiations and participation in trade fairs. The Airbus A320 family aircraft used on the route will offer cabin configurations suitable for both leisure and business passengers, with the potential for additional cargo capacity in the hold on selected flights.
The launch also comes at a time when regional governments are emphasizing closer economic cooperation. Enhanced air connectivity is seen as a practical tool to underpin these political commitments, allowing entrepreneurs, students and diaspora communities to move more freely between cities.
Community groups on both sides of the border are likely to benefit from simplified travel arrangements for family visits and cultural events. With relatively low entry-level fares and a schedule that includes a weekend service, the new route aims to be accessible to a wide cross-section of travelers, not just corporate passengers.
Centrum Air’s Expanding Central Asia Footprint
The Tashkent–Osh route is part of a broader expansion by Centrum Air, which has rapidly increased its fleet and destination map since launching operations in 2023. The airline has pursued a hybrid model that combines scheduled passenger services with charter operations, focusing heavily on regional connectivity across Central Asia.
By adding short international segments such as Osh to its timetable, Centrum Air is consolidating its position as a key private carrier in Uzbekistan and a growing player in the wider region. The strategy leverages Tashkent’s geographic position at the heart of Eurasian trade routes and the renewed global interest in the Silk Road as a tourism brand.
Industry experts note that successful operation of compact cross-border routes can improve aircraft utilization, support crew training and create a steady base of local traffic that underpins longer-haul ambitions. For passengers, the result is a denser network of relatively affordable, direct links that make multi-country itineraries in Central Asia far more feasible than a few years ago.
With the Tashkent–Osh service now added to its schedule, Centrum Air is signaling that secondary cities and regional hubs will remain central to its growth plans. The airline’s latest route is being closely watched as a test of how quickly Central Asia’s emerging tourism corridors can respond when given reliable air connectivity.