Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) —  Air Samarkand has announced the opening of a new direct flight route to Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam, with services starting on 1 November 2024.

The new Friday flights will connect Tashkent with Vietnam’s largest island and are operated in partnership with Crystal Bay Tourism, known for organizing successful tours to popular Vietnamese destinations such as Nha Trang.

Additionally, Air Samarkand’s weekly Tashkent–Abu Dhabi flight will now operate to Abu Dhabi’s main International Airport (AUH), replacing Al Ain Airport. This 3-hour-40-minute route is served by an Airbus A321, featuring 12 premium seats and 182 economy class seats.

In September 2024, Air Samarkand introduced flights from Samarkand to Tashkent, connecting Uzbekistan’s two major cities with twice-weekly flights on an Airbus A321. The flights depart from Samarkand every Friday and Sunday morning, reaching Tashkent in 50 minutes, with return flights scheduled for the same evenings.

"Expanding our route network with regular and charter flights offers our passengers more choice, flexibility, and convenience, while promoting tourism overall," noted Air Samarkand CEO Zafar Butaev. "We are excited to add new cities and countries to our map and are confident that these new routes will be popular."

Adiljon Melikuziev, CEO of Crystal Bay Uzbekistan, added, "We are pleased to expand our charter programs with Air Samarkand. The airline has proven itself by providing quality service and affordable prices. Our collaboration will allow us to offer clients new destinations in sunny locales, including the popular new resort in Vietnam."

In September, Air Samarkand increased its Istanbul flights to three per week. The airline also began flights to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in late July to support pilgrimage travel. Currently, Air Samarkand operates up to seven flights a week: three from Samarkand and one each from Termez, Fergana, Bukhara, and Namangan. The airline also offers flights to Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, on an Airbus A321neo.